Jakarta (ANTARA News)- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Academy of Defend the Nation (ABN), an educational and training center for defend the nation program, run by National Democratic Party (Nasdem) here, Sunday.

President Jokowi was greeted by Nasdem Chairman Suryo Paloh in the ABN Building located in Pancoran, South Jakarta.

Among officials present in the inauguration ceremony were Attorney General Agung Prasetyo, House Speaker Setya Novanto, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian, Environmental Affairs and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, and South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

IGk Manila, governor of the Academy, said the academy is built on a plot of land measuring 4.9 thousand m2.

ABN was established at the initiative of Surya Paloh, to respond to the national developments and situation, he added.

The Nasdem Party has viewed that the country is facing serious problems concerning nationalism and patriotism that tend to disappear.

Surya Paloh has expressed his hope that the Academy of Defend the Nation of Nasdem Party to bring positive benefits to the community, nation and the state.

The academy will accept some 500 students, mostly Nasdem cadres, every year.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017