Prabowo: 70 Percent of East Asian Energy and Trade by Sea through Indonesia

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that about 70 percent of energy needs and East Asian trade routes cross Indonesian waters, making Indonesia's position very strategic in the global geopolitical and economic map.

Prabowo made the statement while giving a briefing at the Red and White Cabinet Member Government Working Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, while highlighting the importance of national awareness of Indonesia's geographical position in the midst of international conflict dynamics.

According to Prabowo, the conflict in the Middle East which resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz became an important lesson for Indonesia regarding the strategic meaning of the world's sea lanes. The closure of the global energy route caused a major panic in the international market and a spike in world oil prices.

"Are we aware that 70 percent of East Asia's energy needs and 70 percent of trade are through Indonesian seas. Are we aware that the Malacca Strait, the Sunda Strait, the Makassar Strait and so on are Indonesian seas. Are we aware of how important Indonesia is," said Prabowo as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 8.

The President emphasized that the geographical factor makes Indonesia a country with a high bargaining position and a center of attention in the world. Therefore, state management must be carried out strongly, accurately, and reliably.

Apart from its strategic location, Prabowo also highlighted Indonesia's wealth of natural resources which are considered capable of making this country strong and prosperous if managed optimally.

"We ourselves are not aware of how big the Indonesian nation is, how rich the Indonesian nation is, how strong the Indonesian nation is," said the President.

He explained, many foreign nations want to control Indonesia, plundering Indonesia's wealth by playing one against the other.

The President invited all elements of the nation to strengthen national unity and accelerate the agenda of independence, especially in the food and energy sectors.

According to him, strengthening national resilience in the next one year is a crucial period for Indonesia to become a country that is increasingly resilient in facing global dynamics.

"What I consider critical is one year. This is the next 12 months. After 12 months, we will be very strong," concluded Prabowo.