Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has urged Muhammadiyah leaders to visit university campuses to counter misinformation and warn young Indonesians against being exploited by groups seeking to divide the country.
“I ask Muhammadiyah leaders to visit campuses and convince young people not to let themselves be manipulated by dubious actors,” Prabowo said at the Tanwir meeting marking Muhammadiyah’s 114th anniversary in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday.
He said some groups were spending tens of trillions of rupiah (billions of dollars) to undermine public confidence in national leaders through lies and false information.
He said the campaign also involved recirculating old videos to create fear among the public.
Prabowo also accused some intellectuals of using their expertise to support efforts that could divide the country.
“In my view, some intellectual figures have become ‘intellectual prostitutes.’ Their intelligence is being used by interests we do not know, ultimately serving foreign powers seeking to divide Indonesia,” he said.
He called on Muhammadiyah because its extensive education network includes schools and universities across the country.
He urged Muhammadiyah leaders and academics to help students assess information critically and resist misleading narratives.
Prabowo also urged Indonesians to remain confident in the country’s ability to overcome challenges, saying its resources and wealth were sufficient to build the nation without allowing outsiders to control them.
He also sought Muhammadiyah’s support for his administration while welcoming criticism of its performance.
“If I am on the right path, I ask for your support. If I stray, please correct me,” he said.
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Translator: Aditya R, Fauzul Azhim Bin Fakhrurazi
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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