President Prabowo Highlights Indonesia’s Natural Wealth as Both Strength, Geopolitical Challenge

President Prabowo Subianto Friday (07/31) underscored that Indonesia must boost its vigilance in facing increasingly complex global dynamics.

“The global situation is extremely volatile, but there is no use in panicking, there is no use in being afraid, though it does demand that we be more aware. Our actions, words, and speech must be guided by wisdom and kindness. We must remain vigilant because we are a very large country, a very wealthy country,” the President said in his directives during a meeting with national and regional entrepreneurs of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) at the State Palace, Jakarta.

The President explained that Indonesia’s abundant natural resources are both a blessing and a challenge. Throughout history, he noted, the commodities of the Nusantara, such as spices and timber, drew the attention of various global powers of the era.

“So, they needed a strong maritime fleet, as their journey by the sea would take about two weeks, and they needed spices to keep the food they were transporting from decaying. They also needed timber for their ships, as ships at that time were made from wood. The timber suitable for sea travel could be found right here in the Nusantara. So, they all sought us out here in the Nusantara for spices and timber,” he explained.

On that occasion, the President reminded everyone that nations or regions blessed with abundant natural resources frequently face geopolitical pressures. He pointed to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, noting it is inseparable from the massive strategic energy and mineral reserves in the region.

“I am emphasizing this at length to all of you because what we are discussing is happening right before our eyes. Every afternoon and every evening, we see news of escalation, escalation, and escalation,” the President said.

“Divide et impera is not just something written in history books, it is real. Divide et impera is real,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/TM)