Prabowo Shakes Up ASEAN Summit: We Must Not Allow Ourselves to Be Pitted Against Each Other
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto attended the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit held at the Mactan Expo in Cebu, Philippines. In this prestigious forum, Indonesia’s top leader delivered a powerful message regarding Southeast Asia’s strategic position amid intensifying global tensions.
Citing an official statement from the Press, Media, and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (8/5/2026), President Prabowo stressed that ASEAN must remain an anchor of regional stability. He highlighted the importance of strengthening solidarity among member countries to avoid being swayed by the interests of major external powers.
Prabowo Subianto called on all attending national leaders to make concrete commitments to maintaining peace. For him, a solid ASEAN is the key to facing increasingly complex global challenges.
The former Minister of Defence emphasised that collaboration is the only way out to preserve harmony. He wants ASEAN to prioritise deliberation above all else.
“We must set an example; we must truly commit to having a solid ASEAN that maintains peace, stability, values dialogue and collaboration,” said President Prabowo.
The President assessed that unhealthy geopolitical competition would only burden the people and hinder the pace of regional economic development. He affirmed that Indonesia is fully committed to building good relations with all neighbouring countries without being trapped by old wounds.
Prabowo invited ASEAN leaders to look to the future and not be held captive by the dark history of the past. Indonesia will firmly position itself as a supportive neighbour for regional stability.
“We must not allow competition. We must not let our past determine our present and future. Indonesia is determined to build good neighbourly policies,” stated President Prabowo.
In addition, the President issued a stern warning for ASEAN to maintain its independence on the international stage. He does not want the unity built over decades to be destroyed by egos and the pulls of major power interests.
Prabowo reminded members not to be carried away by the current rivalries dividing the world. ASEAN must remain steadfast in its stance as an independent and united bloc.
“Once again, we must not be carried away and must not be influenced by the current currents of geopolitical competition and egos,” he said.
Furthermore, President Prabowo encouraged promoting ASEAN’s culture of peace not only internally but also on the global stage. According to him, ASEAN has great potential to become a beacon of global peace amid increasing divisions in other parts of the world.
He aspires to make Southeast Asia a real and internationally recognised zone of peace. This step is considered crucial to ensure the sustainability of prosperity for all communities in the region.
“In the midst of deepening divisions, ASEAN’s culture of peace must not only be preserved but also advanced to become a global example. ASEAN must truly become a zone of peace,” said President Prabowo, closing his call.