Prabowo: Whatever Happens in the World, Indonesian Food is Safe

President Prabowo Subianto (Photo: Presidential Media Team)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto ensures that national food availability remains safe even though the global geopolitical situation is uncertain, especially due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East region.

Prabowo made the statement when he inaugurated 218 bailey bridges, armco, and pioneers in various regions of Indonesia virtually, Monday, March 9. According to him, Indonesia must be able to maintain food security so that it is not affected by global turmoil.

"Whatever happens, where other nations will have many difficulties, at least we are safe from food problems," said Prabowo.

Prabowo explained that conflicts in various regions of the world have the potential to trigger a spike in the price of fuel oil, which in the end can affect food prices. However, he said Indonesia is currently almost self-sufficient in food.

"In a state of war everywhere, in a state of soaring fuel prices that could affect food prices, we are grateful that we have almost reached food self-sufficiency," he said.

He added that Indonesia has achieved self-sufficiency in rice as the main food commodity for the community. In addition, the government also targets to be able to meet protein needs independently in the near future.

"We have reached self-sufficiency in rice where rice is our staple food. But we will also soon reach our ability to meet our protein needs," he added.

Apart from food, Prabowo said the government also continues to encourage energy self-sufficiency so that the need for fuel can be met from domestic resources.

According to him, Indonesia has great potential to produce energy from various agricultural commodities such as palm oil, cassava, corn, and sugar cane.

"The fuel problem has also been a problem for many years, I have been fighting for energy self-sufficiency. We have a great gift that our fuel needs do not have to depend on imports, but can come from plants such as palm oil, cassava, corn, and sugar cane," he said.

Prabowo also reminded the global situation which was marked by conflicts between major powers could drag other countries into difficult conditions.

However, he believes that Indonesia has sufficient resources to face the impact of the global crisis and come out of the situation in a stronger condition.

"I have been looking at and studying the numbers every day. We are finding new wealth. We may have difficulties, but my estimate is that we will come out of this crisis stronger, more prosperous, and more self-reliant," he said.