Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Thursday that his country cannot be dictated by any country or anyone.

Widodo made the remark while delivering a speech during the Pancasila Day ceremony marking Indonesia’s five fundamental principles, an event that is commemorated on June 1 every year in the country.

“This is Indonesia. Indonesia is Indonesia that cannot be dictated by anyone, (a nation) that cannot be dictated by any country but is always ready to contribute to the world,” he was quoted by Indonesia’s official news agency as saying.

Widodo added that as a big country, Indonesia must be equal to other nations, and it is ready to lead and cooperate with any country and serve as a bridge for addressing differences in the world.

Widodo noted that Indonesia’s successful Group of Twenty (G20) presidency last year as well as the country’s ASEAN chairmanship this year have become real evidence that Pancasila is not only relevant for Indonesia but also for the world.

He underlined that tolerance, unity, and mutual cooperation are instrumental in building a strong nation.

Source: Kuwait News Agency