Government Encourages Indonesian Diaspora to Actively Participate in Developing the Nation

Singapore, wapresri.go.id – Indonesian citizens (WNI) are widely spread all over the world, including in Singapore. In this land of lions, it is estimated that there are around 250,000 Indonesian citizens or almost 5 percent of the total population of Singapore. Therefore, with this large population, it is hoped that Indonesian citizens abroad can continue to work and provide support to develop the country.

“The government always encourages Indonesian people abroad to continue to work, excel, and maintain cohesiveness and friendship with one another while continuing to provide support at home, this is the government’s hope,” said Vice President (VP) K. H. Ma’ruf Amin on his speech when meeting with the Indonesian Diaspora in the Nusantara Room, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore, Tuesday (18/10/2022).

Furthermore, the VP said that one way that can be done to support development in the country is to share experiences that have been undertaken in their respective fields of work with other diasporas. Because experience is the most valuable teacher.

“Your experiences and tips for success have become a kind of contribution of knowledge, the contribution of ideas. If the language of religion is called an alms of knowledge for business people in the country,” explained the VP.

Thus, the VP added, the Indonesian diaspora can be one of the providers of solutions to the challenges faced by Indonesia, through the experience gained abroad.

“The diaspora community can be part of the solution and always bring a good image of Indonesia in its business activities,” added the VP.

Closing his remarks, the VP also hoped that all Indonesian citizens wherever they are can continue to optimize their potential, both Human Resources and Natural Resources so that they have a good impact on the Indonesian nation and state.

“I said that there should be no sleeping land, and no idle workers, I keep reminding them,” stated the VP.

“Therefore, we want to maintain and also improve and want to take advantage of the potentials that we have, especially human resources which are quite large and natural resources,” he concluded.

Previously, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo conveyed the synergy between the ranks of the embassy and the Indonesian diaspora that had been carried out, one of which was in handling the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. He revealed that the collaboration that occurs can be established well by donating stuff to Indonesian in need.

“We are grateful that with togetherness and sharing, we can get through this difficult situation,” he explained.

In addition to the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore, present at this event were the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi, officials and employees at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore and around 80 representatives of the Indonesian Diaspora in Singapore.

Meanwhile, the VP was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President’s Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Economic Policy Support and Competitiveness Improvement Guntur Iman Nefianto, Special Staff for the VP Masduki Baidlowi, Expert Team for the VP Farhat Brachma, and Iggi Haruman Achsien. (NN/LHS, BPMI – Setwapres)