Jakarta – Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s defense and security sector since officially becoming Minister of Defense in 2019. Now, as President of the Republic of Indonesia, his focus on this strategic sector is even more evident.
Military observer and Head of the Center for Intermestic and Diplomatic Engagement (CIDE), Anton Aliabbas, revealed that Prabowo’s focus on defense has increased following his appointment as minister and now president. Furthermore, in the past year, there has been a significant change, with the defense budget increasing to around Rp160 trillion.
“Although Indonesia is known as a peaceful nation, attention to the defense sector remains crucial to maintaining national stability. However, the major challenge is modernizing the main weapons systems (alutsista),” Anton explained during a dialogue on a Jakarta radio station.
Without modernization measures, the increase in the defense budget may not be commensurate with the quality of existing weaponry. Furthermore, the expansion of military organizations and non-military threats such as terrorism, poverty, and social issues also have the potential to absorb significant budget expenditures.
Prabowo, according to Anton, has a broad vision for the Indonesian defense sector’s significant role. He aims not only to safeguard the country’s sovereignty from external threats but also to strengthen Indonesia’s role in international forums in resolving global conflicts, such as those in Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine.
“This step is in line with the four national goals enshrined in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution: protecting all Indonesians, advancing public welfare, improving the nation’s life, and contributing to world order,” he said.
Furthermore, Prabowo’s efforts also include strengthening the economic sector, particularly the defense industry. One measure Anton suggested was ensuring that defense equipment procurement involves State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), to improve quality and generate tangible economic impact.
“A strong defense must have a positive impact on the economy, and the defense industry is one of the drivers,” he added.
President Prabowo’s focus on more than just the budget is also significant, as he prioritizes the welfare of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel. This effort aims to ensure the TNI is not only combat-ready but also a vital part of society, devoting its life and soul to the nation.
At the domestic level, President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of food and social security, with a focus on preventing internal threats, such as poverty and corruption.
The government under Prabowo’s leadership sees that defense must encompass more than just military threats from abroad, but also pay attention to domestic social and economic resilience.
As a leader with a military background and extensive international experience, President Prabowo also demonstrates solid leadership in international diplomacy. For example, Indonesia’s bilateral relations with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Australia have been further strengthened under his leadership.
With the strategic steps that have been taken, both in increasing the defense budget, strengthening international relations, and maintaining the welfare of soldiers and the community, Prabowo Subianto’s leadership provides great hope for the future of a stronger and more independent Indonesian defense.
