Indonesia is lucky to have PDIP: President

Jakarta (Antaranews Bali) - Indonesia is lucky to have the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP) that has always supported development efforts across the country, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated here on Wednesday.

"Indonesia is lucky to have the PDIP that has militant cadres, who are democratic, visionary, and never forget the history of the nation," he noted in a speech at the commemoration of the ruling party`s 45th anniversary.

The president remarked that the PDIP cadres support the efforts to undertake Indonesia-centric development, the initiatives to transform the nation into a global maritime axis, and implementation of the "Nawacita" (nine agendas) of the government.

The party also reflects the country`s motto of unity in diversity, he noted.

He stressed that the PDIP cadres had always supported poverty alleviation efforts and the fight against backwardness as well as the social gap.

Jokowi also emphasized that PDIP`s service to the country is far from over and is to be continued for the development of the country.

"I believe the spirit behind PDIP`s resilience, so far, has been "gotong royong" (solidarity). This is what has helped us to stand united. It is the spirit of gotong royong that has convinced us that we will be able to fight for goals that are noble," he stated.

Megawati Soekarnoputri, PDIP`s general chairperson and former president, accompanied the president at the event also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla and former vice presidents: Try Sutrisno and Boediono.

President Jokowi called on all party cadres to continue to work together to build the nation.

"Again, the role of PDIP cadres is important, and the nation has always looked up to them to work together with the people in the spirit of gotong royong to realize social justice," he noted.

People need to work together in the spirit of gotong royong with regard to implementing the country`s ideology of "Pancasila" (five principles), he remarked.

The PDIP cadres must focus on working to improve economic growth, reduce gap, and alleviate poverty.

"We must not stop making efforts to ensure that the values of Pancasila are upheld in the community. We must preserve unity, although we have different choices in terms of political cooperation. We must work hard to realize social justice for all people of Indonesia," he stated.

Megawati Sukarnoputri, who is the daughter of Indonesia`s first president and one of the founding fathers Soekarno, noted in her speech that the party had faced a variety of tests in 45 years of its existence.

In view of this, she thanked all senior members of the party who had continued to support the party.

She also lauded President Jokowi who had decided to declare June 1, 1945, as the birthday of Pancasila. She said the five principles of Pancasila have been the source of spirit and guidance for the Indonesian people.

Pancasila comprises belief in the One and Only God, a just and civilized humanity, Indonesia`s unity, democracy led by the wisdom of the representatives of the people, and social justice for all Indonesians.  (WDY)