President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the importance of exemplary leadership, also known as ing ngarso sung tulodo (a leader must lead by example), as he led the Twilight Parade in heavy rain with members of the Merah Putih Cabinet at Pancasila Field, Graha Utama Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, on Friday evening (Oct. 25).
“We are proud of each of you. I saw you standing in the rain, so I invited the generals to join and get wet too,” Prabowo stated.
“Our leadership principle is ing ngarso sung tulodo. If the soldiers are wet, the leaders must be wet. If the soldiers are hot, the leaders must feel the heat. If the soldiers go hungry, the leaders must experience hunger as well. This is the foundation of our leadership,” he added.
Prabowo also shared a story about a one-star general who sacrificed his life during an operation, illustrating the principle that a leader must stand with their soldiers, even in danger.
“I once heard of a one-star general who fell in the line of duty. Some questioned why a brigadier general was in an active operation zone. It was because, in our tradition, the dangers faced by the soldiers must also be shared by their commanders,” he recounted.
He concluded by explaining that bringing the Merah Putih Cabinet to the event was to witness firsthand the spirit and discipline of the next generation of leaders.
“I brought them to see the emerging leaders of our nation, to witness your spirit and discipline. A soldier is ready to sacrifice everything for the nation and the state, and the ministers are equally prepared to give their all in defending the interests of the Indonesian people,” Prabowo affirmed.
