Jakarta – State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir has requested presidential candidate and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to maintain religious tolerance in Indonesia.
"With all my sincerity, all of us [who are] present today trust Pak Prabowo to maintain religious tolerance in Indonesia for today and the future," said Erick during his speech at the SOEs Ministry's Christmas celebration event on Monday, as quoted by Jawapos.com.
The Christmas celebration brought together approximately 7,000 employees from the ministry and various SOEs. In addition to Prabowo and Erick, other notable attendees included Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Deputy SOEs Minister Kartiko Wirjoatmodjo. Erick also highlighted the importance of unity as a nation in his speech.
"We entrust the nation's unity to Pak Prabowo, hoping that we become a developed, prosperous, and noble country," said Erick.
Erick acknowledged that he had gained valuable insights from Prabowo to love Indonesia wholeheartedly.
"[He taught us] how to raise the Red and White flag on the highest mountain in the world. [Filling us with] nothing but pride as Indonesians. Upholding unity and integrity," said Erick.
He even referred to Prabowo as a part of the extensive SOEs family and honored Prabowo's grandfather's significant contribution to SOEs in Indonesia.
"And he is the defense minister, [but] Pak Prabowo Subianto is also part of the SOEs family. Why? Because he is the grandson of Pak Margono Djojohadikusumo, the founder of Bank Negara Indonesia [BNI]," he said.
Erick stressed that BNI played a vital role in consolidating the finances of Indonesian migrant employees who contributed significantly to the country's foreign exchange reserves.