Many Countries Face Energy Crisis, Zulhas Says Indonesia Should Be Grateful for President Prabowo

Jakarta - The General Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan, stated that Indonesia should be grateful for being led by President Prabowo Subianto at a time when many countries are experiencing an energy crisis.

Zulhas, as he is affectionately known, reasoned that Prabowo has repeatedly warned about the dangers of war and the potential for global conflicts that could impact the economy.

“This is what Mr Prabowo has repeatedly conveyed, and even at that time, we sometimes doubted it. Now it has been proven,” Zulhas said during the First National Working Meeting of PAN at the PAN Central Board, Kalibata, Pancoran, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

“Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we should be grateful once again for having a president whose vision far exceeds that time,” he said.

“People are safe, yet he talks about war? It’s safe, but Mr Prabowo’s story is about war. And it has truly happened,” he added.

Zulhas emphasised the importance of self-sufficiency programmes, both in food and energy, so that Indonesia becomes more sovereign and does not rely on imports.

“People would surely laugh because it’s comfortable, right? So, all this time, if there’s none, we import, making us complacent and lulled,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs exemplified several countries that are rationing energy use to the point of declaring a crisis.

“For example, in ASEAN, we’ve seen the Philippines has already announced an energy emergency. It has announced an energy emergency, ladies and gentlemen,” Zulhas said.

“If we look further, Pakistan and India are already queuing up (for fuel). Even blackouts. In Latin America, there are blackouts, people riding bicycles because there’s no petrol anymore,” he continued.

Therefore, Zulhas called on all parties to be grateful because Indonesia has not yet experienced such conditions.

In addition, he stressed the importance of downstreaming as a strategic and fundamental policy to strengthen the national economy.

According to him, various such programmes are visionary, fundamental, and are currently being implemented, including under the coordination of the Ministry of Coordinating for Food Affairs, which he also leads.