Prabowo Emphasizes Indonesia Neutral: Both with the US, China to Russia

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia still holds a non-bloc foreign policy. Indonesia, he said, does not want to join any military bloc or pact.

This was conveyed by Prabowo when he met with the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Bakrie and the Kadin leadership throughout Indonesia at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Friday, July 31.

Prabowo said the non-bloc attitude was the legacy of the founding fathers. According to him, this position makes Indonesia acceptable to many parties in the midst of a vulnerable global situation.

"We are grateful that our country has a legacy from the founders of our nation. The legacy is non-bloc foreign policy," said Prabowo.

He said Indonesia wanted to be a good neighbor to other countries. Prabowo called the policy a good neighborhood policy.

"I am trying to improve all relations with all our neighbors. I am trying to reconcile," he said.

Prabowo said many countries in Southeast Asia have a legacy of border issues because they have all been colonized. Indonesia wants to solve such problems in a peaceful way.

According to Prabowo, Indonesia as the largest country in the region must be more patient and not easily provoked.

"We have to be more wise, more patient. We must not be provoked," he said.

Prabowo emphasized Indonesia's good relations with various world powers. He mentioned the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India, and Australia.

"We respect everyone. Our relationship is good with the United States. But we are also good with China. We are also good with Russia," said Prabowo.

He also said Indonesia maintains good relations with neighboring countries, including Papua New Guinea or PNG.

Prabowo said Indonesia's position of not wanting to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries made Indonesia acceptable in many places. He gave an example of Myanmar.

"Even in Myanmar we hold on to it. We can be accepted by almost all parties," he said.

Prabowo also told about his visit to Seoul, South Korea. According to the President, the President of South Korea asked him to help open a dialogue with North Korea.

"Can I visit North Korea to open a kind of dialogue?" Oh, I said, "I respectfully, willingly, if Your Majesty asks me to go to North Korea, I will leave," said Prabowo.