Jakarta – During the inauguration of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Campus at Indonesia’s Defence University (Unhan RI), President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education, emphasizing that it is the foundation for national progress.

“I believe that educational institutions determine whether we succeed or fail as a nation. Everything begins with education,” Prabowo stated on Wednesday (June 11) in Sentul, Bogor.

His remarks were not merely rhetoric—Prabowo revealed that under his proposed State Budget (APBN), education has received the highest allocation in Indonesia’s history.

“As President, I have submitted a budget in which education receives the largest allocation of all sectors. It is the highest priority, and if I’m not mistaken, it is the largest allocation in Indonesia’s history. The law mandates a minimum of 20% for education, but our budget exceeds that threshold,” he explained.

Further elaborating on his vision, Prabowo stressed that Defence University should not only train leaders in national security but also shape future leaders across all sectors. He emphasized the critical role of science and technology in eliminating poverty and driving national advancement.

“In today’s era, mastering science and technology is crucial. In this modern world, only through science and technology can we eradicate poverty and become a developed, modern nation,” he added.

Closing his speech, Prabowo urged academia to embrace a patriotic mindset, one that faces challenges head-on rather than avoiding difficulties.

“If you see a problem, do not run away from it. Do not run away from the difficulty. Run toward the challenge, run toward the problem, and solve it. That is the mark of a true leader,” he concluded.