The Indonesian president has also vowed to continue the ‘difficult and unpopular’ task of cracking down on corruption
In a wide-ranging speech before the People’s Consultative Assembly on Friday, the 73-year-old leader – inaugurated last October – pointed to second-quarter growth of 5.12 per cent as a sign of the economy’s robustness despite “global political tension and trade war”.
Prabowo also emphasised his government’s approach to diplomacy, praising Indonesia’s growing ties with both developing and Western powers.
He described Indonesia’s stance as a “good neighbour” policy rooted in peace, particularly within the region. “We remain non-aligned, we want peace with everyone, especially our neighbours,” he said.
At the same time, Prabowo warned of the lingering influence of colonialism, saying it continued to shape modern conflicts. “Border issues are a colonial legacy. The Dutch came, alongside the British, and they drew [border] lines as they pleased,” he said.
