Bogor — President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to pursuing a non-aligned foreign policy while strengthening national self-reliance as a strategic measure to protect citizens amid increasing global threats. This stance is considered crucial in the face of geopolitical uncertainties, including the potential for large-scale conflicts.
During the National Coordination Meeting of Central and Regional Governments in Sentul, Bogor, the President expressed concerns about the possibility of a Third World War, which has even been simulated with scenarios involving nuclear weapons.
“Even if we are not involved, we will be affected. We will be exposed to radioactive particles. Perhaps all our fish will be contaminated. A nuclear winter will occur because the dust will block the sun, not just for one or two years. Experts say the winter could last for decades,” Prabowo stated on Monday (2/2).
As the successor to the nation’s founders, Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia chooses not to side with any power in global affairs.
“I say my foreign policy philosophy is: a thousand opponents are too few, one opponent is too many, especially if one enemy is on our border. We sincerely do not want to be involved in any pact. We sincerely want to be friends with everyone,” he explained.
He acknowledged that the consequence of this policy is that Indonesia must be prepared to face threats independently, without relying on other countries. Hence, the spirit of self-reliance becomes the foundation for safeguarding sovereignty.
“What applies in this world is that the strong do whatever they want, and the weak suffer. So, as president and trustee of the people sworn in to protect them, I must safeguard our citizens,” he asserted.
Prabowo also stressed the importance of a realistic policy approach in maintaining national security. “To protect the Indonesian people, we cannot act emotionally. We cannot be overly idealistic because the reality of the world is harsh. Since we do not want war, we must be prepared for it. We do not intend to threaten anyone, but others always try to disturb us,” he explained.
Meanwhile, President Prabowo’s diplomacy abroad is believed to strengthen Indonesia’s position on the international stage. Political researcher Bawono Kumoro of Indikator Politik Indonesia noted that this active diplomacy has increased Indonesia’s prestige and opened strategic cooperation in various critical sectors.
