Prabowo Highlights Indonesia's Strategic Position Amid Hormuz Strait Turmoil

President Prabowo Subianto has highlighted Indonesia’s crucial position on the global energy and trade map amid escalating geopolitical tensions. In his address at the Merah Putih Cabinet Working Meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4), he reminded attendees that Indonesia’s sea routes serve as the primary conduits for the world’s energy movement. According to Prabowo, the conflict in the Middle East serves as stark evidence of how a single narrow point can impact numerous nations. “The war in the Middle East now proves that one strait, the Strait of Hormuz, determines the fate of many nations and oil prices—one strait, 33 miles, 60 km, and now the key to Hormuz is held by one country,” he stated. He then compared the situation to Indonesia’s control over several vital shipping lanes. Prabowo assessed that many parties, including domestically, have not fully realised this strategic role. “But are we aware, are we aware, that 70% of East Asia’s energy needs, 70% of energy and 70% of trade pass through Indonesia’s seas? Are we aware? That the Strait of Malacca, the Sunda Strait, the Makassar Strait, and so on, are Indonesia’s waters—are we aware? Are we aware of how important Indonesia is? Are we aware of how key Indonesia is, 70% of energy for Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, the Philippines? So, we must understand that we are always under the world’s attention,” Prabowo remarked. In that context, he assessed that the government must be capable of managing this strategic position with solid and directed leadership. He emphasised the importance of effective state control amid uncertain global dynamics. “The purpose of my direction is because of the importance of our role, so we must also lead this nation, control this nation well, appropriately, and reliably,” Prabowo said. Although the global situation is coloured by crises, particularly regarding energy supplies, Prabowo noted that government studies show Indonesia’s economic foundation is still sufficiently strong to withstand such pressures. “A few days ago, through meetings, facing a global situation full of crises that have made energy supply a problem, it turns out that after studying it, we have a sufficiently strong economy,” he concluded.