President Prabowo Subianto has spoken about the significant influence of his father, Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo, on his character development, especially during his early years in activism alongside Soe Hok Gie in 1968.
“When I was young, I joined with several youth activists to establish a development organization. I’ve always been concerned about the hardships faced by people in rural areas. I think that concern stemmed from the atmosphere of the time and, of course, my parents’ influence,” Prabowo stated in an exclusive interview.
Prabowo highlighted his father’s profound influence on him, mentioning how Soemitro engaged him in discussions rich in life lessons and values.
“He would take any opportunity to discuss things, to perhaps instill values, share his experiences, and pass on his ideas. I absorbed a lot from listening to him,” Prabowo recounted.
Describing Soemitro’s exceptional intellect, Prabowo mentioned his father’s academic excellence during the Dutch colonial period, where he outperformed many Dutch students in school.
“My father wasn’t just a professor and educator; he was a political leader, an incredibly idealistic person. He was far smarter than I am. He was well-known back then, even during the Dutch colonial era, for outperforming Dutch students in school,” Prabowo reflected.
Prabowo often reminisces about his father in his public appearances and speeches. For instance, during a speech at the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) in April 2024, he shared a principle his father instilled in him: always standing up for the common people regardless of his position or role. This value remains a cornerstone of Prabowo’s beliefs and actions today.
