Prabowo: Global Crisis Compels Indonesia to Accelerate Food and Energy Self-Sufficiency

Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto is convinced that the crises currently occurring in various parts of the world are compelling Indonesia to accelerate its plans to achieve food and energy self-sufficiency.

Therefore, according to the President, although the crisis represents a test for many nations, it can also create opportunities that support a country’s advancement. A condition that Prabowo describes as a blessing in disguise.

“We see the world now is full of uncertainty, crises are occurring everywhere, but brothers and sisters, crises always generate opportunities, crises are tests, crises are stepping stones. The strong will survive, the weak will continue to suffer. This is a lesson from history,” said President Prabowo while delivering remarks at the inaugural anniversary celebration of Danantara at Wisma Danantara, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The President continued, expressing his belief that Indonesia can navigate the successive crises occurring, partly due to the effects of the Israel-United States conflict against Iran.

“I am convinced and believe that the Indonesian nation has been granted extraordinary natural wealth, and we are capable of emerging from this crisis. We will emerge from this crisis stronger. In my view, this crisis is a blessing in disguise. Certainly it is full of difficulties, certainly full of challenges, but (the crisis) compels us to accelerate our good intentions,” said the President.

Prabowo then mentioned two major plans put forward by his government: achieving food self-sufficiency and energy self-sufficiency.

“We already have a food self-sufficiency plan. Alhamdulillah, part of it has been achieved. We already have an intention for energy self-sufficiency, which we are confident we will achieve in the next 4 years. However, (the crisis) is compelling us to accelerate. We must speed up. We have many alternatives. We are confident that we will overcome this problem. Many countries are in more dire circumstances than we are,” said President Prabowo.

Therefore, Prabowo mentioned his immediate priorities as constructing solar power plants (PLTS) in various regions across the country with a total capacity reaching 100 gigawatts (GW).

“We will implement electrification, renewable energy from solar power in the shortest possible timeframe, we will build 100 gigawatts. That is already my order. That is already my decision, and we will prove to the world that we are faster and more effective in this matter,” the President added.