Zulhas Calls US-Israel Attacks Irrational, Emphasises Food Self-Sufficiency

Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, has highlighted the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran. Zulhas described the attacks as having exceeded the bounds of humanity or being utterly irrational.

“Sometimes, Mr Hatta, I can’t sleep when I see America and Israel attacking Iran; I just can’t sleep. It’s beyond reason. Beyond the limits of what we as humans should do. I think it’s barbaric,” said Zulhas in his speech at the National Work Meeting (Rakernas) I at the PAN DPP Office in Jakarta on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Zulhas stated that the global conflict is having real impacts on the stability and economies of various countries. He cited examples of nations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia beginning to experience crises, including in the energy sector.

“Now we see, we witness that almost all countries are affected. ASEAN, for instance, we’ve already seen the Philippines declaring an energy emergency,” he said.

“We don’t know when this situation will end. Even strong and powerful Australia has now released its emergency reserves of petrol and diesel,” he continued.

Amid this uncertain world situation, Zulhas emphasised the importance of President Prabowo Subianto’s vision for national self-reliance. According to him, Indonesia has no choice but to strengthen food self-sufficiency, energy independence, and downstreaming.

Zulhas noted that with self-sufficiency and downstreaming, Indonesia will be more sovereign and not dependent on imports. In this way, Indonesia will not be dictated to by other countries.

“The President’s order is that we must be independent. (Self-sufficiency in) food and energy is mandatory, including downstreaming,” he said.

“The National Mandate Party fully supports these policies; we must ensure their success. There is no room for negotiation; we must succeed. We fully support Mr Prabowo in implementing the programmes I just mentioned,” he added.