Prabowo alludes to the Strait of Hormuz being closed, many countries are panicking, Indonesia is asked to send fertilizer

NGANJUK - President Prabowo Subianto assessed that food and energy security made Indonesia more prepared to face global turmoil. He conveyed this when inaugurating the Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk, East Java, Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Prabowo alluded to the war situation in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the President, the route is important because about 20 percent of the world's fuel supply passes through it.

"Many countries are having trouble, who are panicking because of the war in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz is closed," said Prabowo.

He said the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz not only affected fuel. Fertilizers were also affected because many of their raw materials came from oil and gas.

However, Prabowo said, Indonesia is in a better position. He said that a number of countries actually asked for fertilizer supplies from Indonesia.

"Australia asked us for help. We sell 500 thousand tons of urea to Australia. The Philippines also asked us, then India, Bangladesh, Brazil," he said.

Prabowo said the government did not want euphoria. However, he assessed that the condition showed the importance of improving agriculture faster.

He also said that many countries want to buy rice from Indonesia. According to him, the situation will be different if Indonesia does not immediately pursue food self-sufficiency.

"Imagine if we are not self-sufficient. If we do not rush to solve agricultural problems," he said.

Prabowo expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture, TNI, Polri, and other parties involved in strengthening food. He said that the police helped produce corn, food warehouses, to the Free Nutritious Meal kitchen.

According to Prabowo, food and energy are the key when the world is unstable. He emphasized that Indonesia should not depend on the situation abroad.

"Food is safe, energy is safe. Many countries are panicking, Indonesia is still okay," he said.