Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s president-elect for 2024-2029, was instrumental in the establishment of SMA Taruna Nusantara, one of the country’s top high schools today. Dirgayuza Setiawan, the son of the late Dr. Boyke Setiawan, recently shared a proposal co-written by Prabowo and his father in 1988 for the founding of the school. This proposal, stored in Dr. Boyke’s personal archives, was submitted to the Minister of Defense and Security and the president at the time.
Dirgayuza recalled a conversation with Prabowo where he was asked to find the proposal in his father’s archives. After searching, he found the document containing initial sketches of the school, a timeline for its development, and the vision behind its establishment.
The foreword of the proposal explained that the creation of SMA Taruna Nusantara was driven by a sense of duty to contribute to Indonesia’s development post-independence. The emphasis was on education, specifically in science and technology, as a key factor in nation-building.
The proposal highlighted Indonesia’s wealth of resources and talented youth, emphasizing the importance of providing them with suitable education to harness their potential. SMA Taruna Nusantara was envisioned as a place where the country’s best and brightest could develop their skills for the benefit of Indonesia’s future.
Initials “PS” and “BS” in the document referred to Prabowo Subianto and Boyke Setiawan, respectively. Dirgayuza, known for editing Prabowo’s books, comes from a family closely associated with Prabowo, with his late father serving as a trusted advisor and rector of an educational institution.
Through their shared vision and dedication to education and national development, Prabowo and Dr. Boyke Setiawan laid the foundation for SMA Taruna Nusantara, a testament to their commitment to Indonesia’s future.
