Prabowo Asserts Indonesia Will Not Join Any Bloc
President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the world is currently engulfed in various conflicts. He referenced wars occurring in several countries, including escalating tensions across the Middle East region.
“I wish to convey this because we are aware and understand that our world is now full of dangerous dynamics. Wars are erupting everywhere, in almost every region of the world, particularly in the Middle East. Some time ago we realised there was a major war in Europe, in Ukraine. Now nearly the entire Middle East is affected,” Prabowo said whilst inaugurating 218 bridges virtually, as seen on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, Monday (9/3/2026).
Although Indonesia is geographically distant from these conflict zones, Prabowo assessed that their impact would still be felt. He noted that the world is now increasingly interconnected, meaning conflicts in one region can affect other areas.
For this reason, Prabowo emphasised that Indonesia is on the correct path by maintaining its principle of free and active foreign policy, without aligning with any power bloc. Prabowo believed this principle aligns with the spirit of pluralism that forms the foundation of Indonesian national life.
“Our nation, our country, is on the right path. We are on a non-aligned path. We always remain on a free and active, non-bloc path. We do not wish to join any bloc. We respect all powers, we respect all nations. That is Indonesia,” he stated.
“Bhinneka Tunggal Ika within our nation, but also abroad we respect all peoples, respect all religions, respect all races, respect all ethnic groups. This is what allows Indonesia now to enjoy peaceful conditions. We can live alongside hundreds of ethnic groups yet we can live in harmony,” he added.
Amid turbulent global conditions resulting from Middle East conflicts, Prabowo warned that Indonesia must also prepare to face various potential impacts.
“Friends, the entire world is experiencing upheaval, the entire world. As a result of war in the Middle East, frankly we must be prepared to face difficulties,” he said.
Nevertheless, he expressed pride in the role of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which he valued as one of the nation’s main pillars in maintaining national stability. According to Prabowo, the TNI has proven itself as a people’s army serving all Indonesian citizens, without discrimination.
Indonesia Calls for US-Israel to Stop Attacking Iran and Iran to Cease Assaults on Neighbouring Countries
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) received reports from various representatives in the Middle East region concerning increasingly worrying security situations. The Indonesian government again expressed concern over escalating and expanding tensions and their impact in the Middle East.
“The Indonesian government calls on the United States and Israel to halt attacks on Iran, and calls on Iran to cease attacks targeting neighbouring countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan,” the Indonesian Kemlu wrote on X, Monday (9/3/2026).
The Indonesian government reaffirmed the obligation of all parties to uphold principles of international law, particularly regarding the prohibition on using force against a nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Indonesia encourages all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and return to the negotiating table through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Kemlu wrote.
The government continues to monitor the conflict’s impact on Indonesian nationals in the region and has prepared contingency measures should conditions necessitate repatriation from various countries.