Prabowo continues limited meeting with Higher Education Minister on rare earths

President Prabowo Subianto continued a limited meeting with Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto at the President’s private residence, Padepokan Garuda Yaksa, in Hambalang, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Wednesday afternoon. At the same location, the President also met with the Hajj Supervisory Team along with Minister of Hajj Mochamad Irfan Yusuf and Deputy Minister of Hajj Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, who also serves as the Presidential Spokesperson, stated that the President sought an update and summoned the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology regarding preparations for human resource development, including ongoing education and training processes, as well as updates on cooperation related to technology and critical minerals or rare earths. Brian, who was called upon to provide the latest report on cooperation developments concerning rare earth minerals, also actively serves as Head of the Mineral Industry Agency. Rare earth elements are strategic commodities widely used as raw materials in the defence industry, such as for fighter jet engines, missile systems, and commercial aircraft engines. They are also extensively used in producing electronic components, including underwater detection devices, anti-missile defence systems, tracking devices, communication equipment, and satellite power generators. In several meetings with leaders of friendly nations and business communities abroad, President Prabowo has openly invited foreign investment for the exploration and processing of rare earth minerals in Indonesia.