Statue for Prabowo and Keris for Hendropriyono

Hendropriyono revealed that there were external threats that were eroding Indonesian culture.

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN PERTAHANAN

Former Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) General (Ret.) AM Hendropriyono exchanged gifts with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto during the opening ceremony of the Majapahit Palace Replica in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 evening.

Exchanging souvenirs is nothing new for national officials. On the sidelines of the inauguration of the Majapahit Palace Replica in Jakarta, Tuesday (7/5/2024) evening, former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General (Purn) AM Hendropriyono presented a statue of Prince Diponegoro for Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto. The presidential candidate-elect responded with a Gadjah Mada keris.

Hendropriyono chose the statue of Diponegoro wearing a robe and turban on a horse as a souvenir not without reason. According to him, Prabowo has long been amazed by the figure of Diponegoro. "Apparently he was a fan of Prince Diponegoro. "So I made a statue of Prince Diponegoro," said Hendropriyono.

Not long after, Prabowo expressed his gratitude while touching the legs and front stomach area of the horse ridden by Diponegoro. He then reciprocated Hendropriyono's gesture with a golden-colored Gadjah Mada keris.

Also read: Controversy on the Return of Prince Diponegoro's Keris

In addition, the agenda coinciding with Hendropriyono's birthday was attended by many officials or former soldiers such as General (Ret.) Try Sutrisno, General (Ret.) Wiranto, General (Ret.) Agum Gumelar, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy Admiral M Ali, Marshal (Ret.) Djoko Suyanto, and General (Ret.) Andika Perkasa.

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN PERTAHANAN

Former Vice President General (Ret.) Try Sutrisno, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, and former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General (Ret.) AM Hendropriyono (from left to right) entered the Replika Keraton Majapahit building in Jakarta on Tuesday evening (7/5/2024).

Civil figures were also present, such as the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie, entrepreneur Chairul Tanjung, and senator Jimly Asshiddiqie.

On the other hand, Prabowo sees the Jakarta Majapahit Palace Replica building as a good idea and initiative from Hendropriyono. Because, historical values, especially from the cultural aspect, need to be maintained and preserved.

Apparently he was a fan of Prince Diponegoro. So I made a statue of Prince Diponegoro.

"If not us who will respect and value our own culture? And these are the ways we always preserve and honor our culture," said Prabowo.

The replica of the Majapahit Palace is located on Mabes Hankam Road No. 45, Ceger, Cipayung, East Jakarta. Although it is a replica, the palace is built exactly like the original according to the past descriptions, but on a smaller scale. Several facilities such as the Madakaripura Garden, the Maharaja Hayam Wuruk Pendopo, the Mahapatih Gajah Mada Balairung, and the Wilwatikta Alun-Alun also adorn the replica.

Also read: The issue of the Ministry of Culture and Freedom of Expression emerges in the debate

The Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Defense's General Secretariat reported that in the inauguration, Defense Minister Prabowo also signed an inscription that read, "The replica of the Majapahit Palace in Jakarta is a wave of Indonesia's national awakening in the cultural field to build a sovereign national identity in politics and independent in the national economy."

External threats

For Hendropriyono, the replica of the Majapahit Jakarta Palace serves to preserve the original values of the Indonesian nation. He sees the indirect threat that continues to erode the original culture of Indonesia from external sources.

"Since 2018, there has been a policy by the Mayor of Baubau that all elementary, junior high, and high school students must be able to write and speak Korean (South Korea). Every year, the top 10 smartest people are sent to Seoul to encourage enthusiastic children. This is a form of new colonization," he said.

Also read: K-pop is Popular, Korean Language is Learned by Many Foreigners

According to him, colonialism is no longer limited to military and economic aspects, but also culture. In the next 200 years, Indonesia may no longer have its legacy. This is because many developed countries have traditional letters that are still preserved.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Art enthusiasts of the gejog lesung performed during the opening of Javanese script writing training on lontar in Kembang Village, Gladagsari, Boyolali, Central Java, on Saturday (18/12/2021). The training, held by the Sedalu Art and Culture Community, was attended by around 40 participants and aimed to preserve the art of writing manuscripts on lontar leaves.

Hendropriyono also touched on his idea that he once conveyed in a forum that Indonesia should have its own script. This was responded to by a representative from one region who revealed that they have already implemented the "Arab Gundul" subject in their curriculum.

Also read: Prevent the Extinction of Indonesian Script

"The bald Arab. I said, professor, the bald Arab belongs to the Arabs. We are Indonesians. We must have our own script. If we find it difficult to learn now because we are old, like me," said Hendropriyono.

Meanwhile, Prabowo noted that rapid technological development greatly influences the lives of young people in Indonesia. They have become more easily exposed to foreign cultural values. Prabowo's assertion that Indonesian culture must be preserved and defended is therefore relevant.