At Gontor, President Prabowo Highlights Energy, Food Self-Sufficiency as National Strength

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of Indonesia building its national self-reliance amid the global dynamics marked by wars and conflicts. According to the President, energy and food self-sufficiency is an important foundation for Indonesia to stand on its own strength and not to depend on other countries.

“Amid today’s world, a world filled with conflicts and wars everywhere, this proves what I have said before: we must achieve energy and food self-sufficiency. We should not be dependent on other countries,” stated the President in his remarks during the Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Boarding School’s (PMDG’s) centennial celebration reception, which was held at the PMDG’s meeting hall at the main campus of PMDG, Ponorogo Regency, East Java Province, on Saturday (9/19).

President Prabowo stated that currently, Indonesia has sufficient food reserves. The government, according to the President, has also prepared several measures to anticipate potential disruptions to food production caused by weather conditions, including El Niño and drought.

“Alhamdulillah, we have achieved food sufficiency, and our food reserves are sufficient. We have taken measures to anticipate unfavorable weather conditions, such as El Niño and drought. We are prepared,” stated the President.

In addition to food, the President highlighted the progress in efforts to achieve national energy self-sufficiency. The President said that since July 1, Indonesia has stopped importing diesel fuel oil from abroad and can now meet its domestic needs for diesel fuel oil through domestic production.

According to the President, one of Indonesia’s main strengths in building energy self-sufficiency is its abundant natural resources, including palm oil. Palm oil can be processed into various downstream products and can also be transformed into an energy source to support domestic needs for fuel oil.

“Where does it come from? From oil palm. From the plant, the Almighty has bestowed this blessing upon us. As I have said, oil palm may be a miracle plant. The miracle plant, the miracle crop,” stated the President.

On the occasion, the President also conveyed a special message to the students of Gontor. The Head of State encouraged the young generation to remain optimistic about Indonesia’s future and prepare themselves to take up the leadership baton and continue the nation’s struggle.

“Believe that Indonesia’s future is good, Indonesia’s future is bright. And you all, the students, my children, you are the ones who will take over. You are the ones who will continue our struggle,” emphasized the President.

The President also reminded the students to be critical when receiving information, particularly information circulating on social media. According to the President, the young generation must maintain their spirit, bravery, and confidence as a nation and must not be easily influenced by information that could weaken their optimism about Indonesia’s future.

“Be careful, do not believe everything you see on social media. They want to undermine our spirit. They want to undermine our courage. They want to undermine our confidence,” said the President.

Concluding his remarks, President Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s determination to become a strong and self-reliant nation.

“We don’t want to become the servants of other nations. We will become a great nation. We will stand on our own feet,” concluded the President. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of the Presidential Secretariat) (TC/TM)