Senior Indonesian Official Offers Perspective on Southeast Asia
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U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victoria Ochoa
Senior Indonesian Official Offers Perspective on Southeast Asia
By MC2 Victoria Ochoa
Retired Gen. Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President, Republic of Indonesia, shares his knowledge and experience with students in the national security affairs and defense analysis programs during a campus visit, Sept. 27. Pandjaitan also offered an update on the progress Indonesia is making to improve its economy, transportation, infrastructure and defense.
“Indonesia consists of 17,000 islands, and 70 percent of Indonesia is surrounded by sea. With a population of more than 200 million, we have problems, but we are successful in containing our problems,” said Pandjaitan.
Pandjaitan emphasized the government’s initiatives to promote equality for its people, and stressed the importance of education in advancing his country.
“Indonesia is a very unique country. It is rich and brings much stability to the region, but we are trying to catch up to countries surrounding us,” said Pandjaitan. “Countries like Singapore have better shipping routes and infrastructure. But with time, and hard work on our part, we will advance our country more and more each day.”
Indonesia’s national economy has grown significantly in recent years, Pandjaitan said, explaining how the nation’s Army has played a key role in supporting the development of new infrastructure, building positive relationships between citizens and the government.
“The Army works closely with those that live in rural areas, improving our country, our infrastructure and helping our people,” said Pandjaitan.
Pandjaitan ended the discussionwith leadership advice for the officers attending. “Take care of those who work for you,” he said. “Be strong but be fair, and they will respect you and trust you, and that will make your organization much stronger.”
Retired Gen. Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President, Republic of Indonesia, shares his knowledge and experience with students in the national security affairs and defense analysis programs during a campus visit, Sept. 27. Pandjaitan also offered an update on the progress Indonesia is making to improve its economy, transportation, infrastructure and defense.
“Indonesia consists of 17,000 islands, and 70 percent of Indonesia is surrounded by sea. With a population of more than 200 million, we have problems, but we are successful in containing our problems,” said Pandjaitan.
Pandjaitan emphasized the government’s initiatives to promote equality for its people, and stressed the importance of education in advancing his country.
“Indonesia is a very unique country. It is rich and brings much stability to the region, but we are trying to catch up to countries surrounding us,” said Pandjaitan. “Countries like Singapore have better shipping routes and infrastructure. But with time, and hard work on our part, we will advance our country more and more each day.”
Indonesia’s national economy has grown significantly in recent years, Pandjaitan said, explaining how the nation’s Army has played a key role in supporting the development of new infrastructure, building positive relationships between citizens and the government.
“The Army works closely with those that live in rural areas, improving our country, our infrastructure and helping our people,” said Pandjaitan.
Pandjaitan ended the discussionwith leadership advice for the officers attending. “Take care of those who work for you,” he said. “Be strong but be fair, and they will respect you and trust you, and that will make your organization much stronger.”