Prabowo at ASEAN Summit: Welcomed by Maung, Discusses Food Security
President Prabowo Subianto attended the 48th Summit Conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held on 7-8 May 2026 in Cebu, Philippines. The Head of State departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on Thursday, 7 May morning.
Welcomed by Maung Indonesia 1
Upon arrival at Mactan Cebu International Airport, Prabowo was greeted with the Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine vehicle on the tarmac. This white Maung vehicle with the number plate Indonesia 1 is the President’s daily transport in Indonesia.
Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya claimed that for the first time, Prabowo was picked up using the Maung during an overseas trip. He stated that the use of the Maung at the 48th ASEAN Summit is not merely a means of transportation but a symbol of national independence and confidence.
“While in the Philippines, the President will use this vehicle known as a tough light tactical vehicle,” said Teddy, quoted from a written statement by the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Discussing Energy Resilience
In his speech at the special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, Prabowo highlighted the issue of energy resilience. The BIMP-EAGA Summit is part of the 48th ASEAN Summit series.
The Head of State said that increasing global pressures and geopolitical instability due to the war in the Gulf region have made energy an urgent challenge that must be addressed immediately.
“Energy resilience is one of the important issues we face today. This is no longer a long-term problem, but an urgent one,” said Prabowo in the Philippines, quoted from a written statement, Friday, 8 May 2026.
Inviting Neighbouring Countries to Properly Utilise Resources
Still in his speech at the BIMP-EAGA Summit, Prabowo invited Indonesia’s neighbouring countries to make full use of their resources. He stated that the BIMP-EAGA region has great potential in developing renewable energy.
Prabowo continued that hydropower, solar power, wind power, and the fertile lands in the BIMP-EAGA region have not yet been optimally utilised. Therefore, he questioned the readiness of member countries to harness that potential.
“The question is, are we ready to act on that potential. Not only to meet subregional needs, but also to contribute to ASEAN’s energy transition,” said Prabowo.
Discussing the Urgency of Food Resilience
In addition to highlighting energy resilience, Prabowo also addressed food resilience. He noted that warnings from international organisations about the threat of extreme El Niño have made food resilience a crucial issue.
According to him, achieving food resilience requires strong cooperation and coordination among ASEAN countries. Prabowo encouraged strengthening information exchange, food diversification, agricultural technology development, and optimisation of food reserves.
“This is not a challenge that can be handled by one country alone; ASEAN must act together,” said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party in the Philippines, quoted from a written statement, Friday, 8 May 2026.
Inviting ASEAN to Maintain Solidarity
While attending the 48th ASEAN Summit plenary, Prabowo invited member countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation between nations amid the current increasing global geopolitical conditions.
He assessed that geopolitical conflicts and rivalries would only bring negative impacts. Therefore, he said, ASEAN must continue to prioritise dialogue and cooperation as the main foundation of relations, including maintaining independence so as not to be influenced by global geopolitical rivalries.
“We must set an example, we must truly commit to having a solid ASEAN and an ASEAN that maintains peace, stability, and respects dialogue and collaboration,” said the former Minister of Defence in the Philippines, quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s statement, Friday, 8 May 2026.
Deployment of Defence Equipment for Security
In an effort to support regional stability during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) conducted readiness operations in the waters of North Sulawesi. This operation involved the deployment of several Indonesian defence equipment units.
Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence’s General Secretariat, Brigadier General Rico Sirait, said this readiness was carried out in a measured and professional manner, prioritising principles of caution and respect for the sovereignty of friendly nations.
The readiness exercise held in the waters of North Sulawesi involved all three TNI branches to test troop interoperability, personnel mobility, VIP security capabilities, and rapid response to emergency conditions.
“The readiness involves 5 F-16 aircraft, Hercules, and A400M, as well as three naval ships, namely KRI Brawijaya, Siliwangi, and R.E. Martadinata,” said Rico in a written statement, Friday, 8 May 2026.