Indonesia Intends To Join BRICS, Prabowo: We Want Indonesia To Be Everywhere

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto opened his voice about Indonesia intending to join the BRICS economic group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).

According to him, the membership of BRICS will expand partnerships globally and make Indonesia not only incorporated in certain blocks.

In fact, he said, neighboring countries with large economies are also in BRICS. Therefore, Prabowo assessed, Indonesia also needs to be present in the organization so that Indonesia is in all places and does not lean on certain blocks.

"We see that the big economies, India, Brazil, China, South Africa, are already there and many of our neighboring countries have gone there. Thailand, Malaysia expressed interest, the Egyptian UAE," Prabowo said in his statement, Monday, October 28.

"So we make a decision or we see that I think Indonesia needs to also have a presence in that place. So that we are good in all places. Indonesia cannot participate in the blocks but we want to be everywhere," he continued.

As previously reported, Indonesia expressed its desire to join BRICS at the BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russia, starting the process of becoming a member of the block.

"The joining of Indonesia to BRICS is an active free political manifestation of foreign politics," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, October 25.

"It doesn't mean we join certain camps, but we actively participate in all forums," he continued.

"We also see that BRICS' priorities are in line with the work program of the Red and White Cabinet, including related to food and energy security, eradicating poverty or advancing human resources," added the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

Foreign Minister Sugiono was present at the 16th BRICS Summit which was held in Kazan on October 22-24, representing Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Through BRICS, Indonesia wants to raise its common interest in developing countries or Global South.

"We see that BRICS can be the right vehicle to discuss and advance its common interest in Global South," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.