President Prabowo Subianto Reaffirms National Defense as Main Pillar of State

President Prabowo Subianto leads the first session of the National Defense Council (DPN) at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Friday (02/07). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto Friday (02/07) chaired the first session of the National Defense Council at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province.

The session marked a historic moment, as it was the first time in 22 years, following the ratification of Law Number 3 of 2002 on National Defense, that the National Defense Council was officially formed and began fulfilling its duties.

“The National Defense Council is mandated by Law Number 3 of 2002 concerning National Defense, specifically Article 15, which outlines its formation. However, it was not until 2024—22 years after the law was passed—that the National Defense Council was finally established and began carrying out its duties as mandated,” President Prabowo Subianto said in his remarks.

In this first session, the President emphasized that national defense is the cornerstone of the nation’s existence and reminded attendees that the Indonesian Constitution explicitly designates the protection of the nation and its citizens as the foremost national goal.

“National defense is a fundamental issue for any country. Even in the preamble of our Constitution, the first national goal is to protect all the people of Indonesia and the land that has been struggled for. The first principle is one of protection, which means the principle of defense,” the President stated.

The Head of State also underscored the current global geopolitical dynamics, highlighting the growing importance of defense for a nation’s survival.

On that occasion, the President pointed out that, in statecraft, various schools of thought, ranging from ideology to prosperity, have emerged. However, in today’s uncertain world, the dominant principle is national survival.

“The existence of a state is ultimately about ensuring the survival of our nation,” he said.

In the meantime, the Daily Chair of the National Defense Council Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who also serves as Minister of Defense, explained that the Council’s organizational structure and its scope of duties encompass the diverse national issues that impact state sovereignty and protection of Indonesia’s territory as well as its people. The National Defense Council is also responsible for proposing policy solutions and strategic actions to the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

“The National Defense Council plays a key role in formulating general state defense policies for a five-year period,” Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin explained.

For the record, the National Defense Council session marked a key moment in President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, reinforcing the country’s defense framework in a more organized and long-term approach.

The establishment of the National Defense Council is expected to be a foundational element in shaping flexible defense policies to address global challenges, ensuring Indonesia’s continued growth as a sovereign and resilient nation. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/DNS) (RIF/RAS/MMB)