Solo — President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, delivered a powerful message on the essence of leadership rooted in Indonesian ancestral wisdom: a true leader, he said, must be like the Earth—tread upon, yet still giving life.
Speaking at the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Congress on Sunday (July 20), Prabowo outlined eight virtues of leadership passed down through generations, with one of the most profound being the virtue of embodying the Earth itself.
“The final virtue: pindo bahana—be like the Earth. The source of strength. Yet always willing to be stepped on. The Earth is stepped on, but it does not resist. The Earth feeds us. It provides energy. It gives us wealth,” Prabowo said.
He explained that true leadership is not about comfort or glory—it is about becoming a foundation for others, even when faced with pressure, criticism, or personal sacrifice.
“A leader must be ready to be insulted, hurt, even slandered—but remain calm and continue to guide,” he added. “A leader is like the ocean: cursed and defiled, yet still able to absorb everything and release only clean water.”
Prabowo shared what he described as the eight sacred traits of leadership from ancestral teachings:
- Pindo Jaladri – Like the ocean: vast, deep, and able to absorb insult without losing composure.
- Pindo Chandra – Like the moon: radiating calm, reflection, and light in the darkness.
- Pindo Kartiko – A guiding star: showing the way forward.
- Pindo Suryo – Like the sun: offering warmth, energy, and solutions.
- Pindo Arga – Like the mountain: strong, immovable, and reliable.
- Pindo Dahana – Like fire: burning away injustice and igniting spirit.
- Pindo Bayu – Like the wind: present everywhere, though invisible.
- Pindo Bahana – Like the Earth: stepped on daily, but still sustaining life.
“These are the teachings of our ancestors—wisdom that has lasted thousands of years,” Prabowo said.
This philosophical reflection was a central part of Prabowo’s message to PSI cadres, especially the younger generation. He reminded them that leadership is not about the pursuit of power, but a commitment to selfless service to the people and the nation.
