Prabowo: Global Turbulence, Indonesia Must Prepare
President Prabowo Subianto has warned the public to prepare for the impact of global instability triggered by various international conflicts, noting that the current global situation is experiencing a phase of turbulence with potential to affect many nations, including Indonesia.
Prabowo made this statement whilst inaugurating 218 bridges across various regions in Indonesia via video conference on Monday, 9 March. He highlighted the increasing geopolitical tensions triggered by conflicts in several regions, particularly in the Middle East.
“The entire world is experiencing turbulence, the entire world. As a result of the war in the Middle East, we must frankly be prepared to face difficulties,” said Prabowo.
According to him, disputes between major powers in the world can have broad consequences for other nations. This condition puts many nations at risk of being drawn into more difficult economic and political situations.
“We are in a world full of danger. Major powers are quarrelling and could drag other nations into difficult situations,” he said.
Nevertheless, Prabowo believes Indonesia possesses strong resources to face such global pressure. He claimed to have studied various data related to national resource potential which, according to him, continues to reveal new discoveries.
“Once again I say I have seen and studied figures and data about our wealth. Every day we continue to discover new riches,” said Prabowo.
He did not rule out the possibility that Indonesia will experience the impact of a global crisis. However, he is optimistic that Indonesia can emerge from that situation in a stronger condition.
“We will face difficulties, I will not hide that. But we have strength, I believe we will emerge stronger. We will come out of this crisis in a more robust, prosperous, productive condition, more capable of standing on our own feet,” he said.
The Head of State also touched upon the government’s efforts to strengthen national resilience, particularly in the food sector. He mentioned that the food self-sufficiency programme that he has long championed is now nearly achieved.
“A programme I have fought for over the years—food self-sufficiency. In a situation of conflict everywhere, in a situation where fuel prices are soaring very high which could affect food prices, we are grateful that food self-sufficiency we are nearly achieving,” he said.
He added that Indonesia has achieved rice self-sufficiency as the staple food of the people. In addition, the capacity to meet national protein requirements is also said to be near achievement.
“We will also soon achieve our capacity to meet our protein needs. Whatever happens, whilst many other nations will face difficulties, at minimum we are safe on the food issue,” said Prabowo.
Beyond food, Prabowo also touched upon efforts towards energy self-sufficiency. He mentioned that Indonesia has great potential to produce fuel from domestic resources.
“The fuel issue is also something I have long championed—energy self-sufficiency. And we have a great blessing from the Almighty that we will later be able to meet our fuel needs not from foreign imports, but even from our crops, from palm oil, from cassava, from maize, from sugarcane,” said Prabowo.
Amid an uncertain global situation, Prabowo invited all the public to maintain unity and work hard so that Indonesia is able to face various challenges ahead.
“We must work hard, we must live in harmony, we must unite to face this crisis,” he concluded.