Prabowo Holds Nearly Four-Hour Talks with SBY, Jokowi and JK, Discuss Iran War

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – President Prabowo Subianto hosted a gathering and discussion with former presidents, former vice-presidents, party leaders, and a former foreign minister at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, on Tuesday night (4 March 2026). According to CNBC Indonesia’s observations, the meeting ran from 19:30 WIB and finished around 23:15 WIB. Attendees included Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), the seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the tenth and twelfth Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla (JK), the Chairman of Golkar Bahlil Lahadalia, and former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda. In a press briefing after the meeting, Bahlil revealed that Prabowo explained various aspects related to geopolitical developments and Indonesia’s readiness to confront all global dynamics, particularly in the context of energy and several other issues. “Principally, we from political parties understand well the position taken by the president and also the readiness — the steps to anticipate this. All of this is aimed at how to push events globally to be anticipated in order to secure our country,” said Bahlil, who is also the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. Separately, Hassan explained that Prabowo updated information about the latest developments in the world, especially regarding the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iran. According to him, the discussion covered the implications of those attacks for the world and Indonesia. “When the world order is no longer effective and there is no longer any chance for a country that is a victim of military aggression to appeal to anyone, because the UN no longer plays a role, and the rule-based order is only on paper and indeed there is no coercive power, especially if this involves big countries,” Hassan said. He noted that Prabowo outlined the challenges Indonesia must navigate — a voyage not only between two reefs but several reefs. It is not easy. “Therefore the discussion covered the implications for global security and peace, but also the potential effects of this war on the global economy, especially relating to oil, gas, and energy supplies. We calculated all the possible effects on us, from that perspective alone,” Hassan added. Calculations were also made given the duration of the war remains unclear. Initially, according to Hassan, U.S. President Donald Trump said it would last a few days. Now there is potential the war could last several weeks. Not to mention if the U.S. deploys ground troops, which could provoke reactions from Middle Eastern countries. “That would be large, and the war would escalate, and therefore it could last longer. This is a problem or dilemma faced by many countries, not just our own. Therefore the president considers it important to communicate the issues faced by the government to us who were asked to attend this evening,” Hassan said. “But earlier we know that briefings by the president to various groups through meetings like this are briefings, followed by dialogue or Q&A, and the rest as each of us tries to contribute thoughts. And the president is very open to responding to proposals and ideas from participants,” he added.