Prabowo Emphasizes Maritime Power Development Is Needed Immediately To Secure Sovereignty

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto/PHOTO: Prabowo Subianto Media Team

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the development of maritime power is important and urgently needed to guarantee the country's sovereignty.

This was conveyed when he was a keynote speaker at the 2022 International Maritime Seminar with the theme "Dealing with Conflict to Build Maritime Glory". September 13.

"Indonesia must immediately build a maritime force combined with land and air forces, to ensure the sovereignty and prosperity of the nation," Prabowo said as quoted in a written statement.

Prabowo stated that Indonesia's territorial position is strategic in world trade routes. Therefore, the consequence is that Indonesia must have a strong maritime power.

“Sometimes our weakness is in our character. Sometimes we are too nice. We have to think about our interests and the interests of our children and grandchildren," he said.

Prabowo also explained that the Ministry of Defense is currently repairing 41 Navy ships and increasing their capabilities. This is done through cooperation with the domestic defense industry, PT PAL Indonesia.

The government has recently established a Marine Reserve Component that is ready to strengthen and enlarge the strength of the Indonesian Navy.

At the International Maritime Seminar which took place online and offline, Prabowo's arrival was welcomed by the Commander of the TNI Naval Command and Staff School (Danseskoal) Admiral Yoos Suryono Hadi.

Also attending this seminar was the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Yudo Margono. The speakers at this seminar included the Governor of Lemhannas Andi Widjajanto, the Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Arif Havas Oegroseno, and the Director of CSIS Phillips J. Vermonte.