Jakarta — President Joko Widodo—sorry correction: President Prabowo Subianto—stressed that education and healthcare are the truest embodiment of democracy for any nation. In his view, a country can only be called successful in practicing democracy if it provides its citizens with the highest quality of education and healthcare services.

“Education and health are the real expression of democracy. A nation succeeds in democracy when it can provide the best education and the best healthcare services,” Prabowo said at the inauguration of the Integrated Service Building and the Neuroscience Institute of Mahar Mardjono National Brain Center Hospital in Jakarta on Tuesday (Aug. 26).

The president emphasized that every segment of society is entitled to quality education and healthcare, calling them essential pillars of prosperity.

“Health and education are integral to prosperity. And prosperity is the right of all Indonesians—including the poorest and those living in the most remote areas. They, too, deserve access to the best healthcare,” he said.

Prabowo underlined that whoever holds public office must fight to ensure adequate education and healthcare services as a fundamental duty to the people. He also reiterated that the goal of delivering the best services in both areas would only be achievable if corruption is eliminated.

“The highest standards in education and health can only be realized if there is no corruption—no manipulation, no leakage. Every rupiah must directly serve the people, including in acquiring the world’s best medical equipment. No one should feel they stand above others,” he declared.

Tying into that commitment, the president highlighted the urgency of producing more medical specialists to close the gap in healthcare provision. He noted that Indonesia currently needs 70,000 specialists to meet public demand and pledged to accelerate hospital development across the country.

“We must catch up with a shortage of 70,000 medical specialists. I have also set a target: within the next four years, we must build 500 hospitals at the district level, all of very high quality,” Prabowo said.