Prabowo: Nuclear Technology Could Wipe Out Human Civilisation

President Prabowo Subianto has likened technology, such as nuclear power, to a double-edged sword that offers benefits but can also bring catastrophe. Prabowo said nuclear technology can be useful for medicine and agriculture, yet at the same time could wipe out human civilisation.

He made the remarks before university rectors and professors at the closing of the National Science and Technology Innovation Assembly (KSTI) at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday (28/6/2026). Prabowo initially discussed how a nuclear war would affect Indonesia if it were to occur.

“Our Earth, our planet, has become increasingly smaller because of science and technology. Now, events tens of thousands of kilometres away affect our lives. We are not in conflict, we are not hostile to anyone, but if there is a nuclear war in one part of the world, we will feel the impact,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo emphasised that his administration continues to identify the difficulties faced in serving the people. He said solutions to the nation’s problems can be overcome with the help of technological sophistication.

“Because I believe that difficulties must be faced. Difficulties must be confronted, and we must be brave enough to face difficulties, brave enough to acknowledge difficulties, and work hard to find solutions to those difficulties. I have received this from much input. Successful organisations, societies, and countries are those that are brave, brave enough to know, to seek out difficulties and shortcomings and overcome them,” Prabowo said.

“So I am grateful, technology can do that. A difficulty in a village, in Nias, can be addressed immediately, and we can resolve it quickly,” he continued.

On the other hand, Prabowo said, technology can be as dangerous as nuclear weapons. Nuclear power, he noted, has crucial benefits in medicine and agriculture, but can also become a catastrophe if used in war.

“But we also know that technology is not necessarily always positive for humans. Now we see nuclear power, on one hand it is extraordinary in helping humans, very cheap energy, relatively clean energy. Nuclear for medicine, nuclear for agriculture, yes. But nuclear can wipe out human civilisation, immediately, brothers and sisters,” he said.