Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto affirmed Indonesia’s firm commitment to protecting national interests, particularly the welfare of workers, amid increasing global economic pressure and hardline stances from major powers. Speaking at the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) on Wednesday night (July 23) at the Jakarta Convention Center, Prabowo acknowledged that economic negotiations—especially with the United States—have not been easy, but insisted that standing firm is part of his responsibility as head of state.
“The world is not in good shape right now—we know that,” Prabowo said. “There’s war here, war there. But Indonesia is doing its best to maintain balance. We are non-aligned. We respect all, we want good relations.”
He pointed out that the current economic landscape is marked by tough negotiations with the U.S., not just for Indonesia, but for many countries.
“When it comes to economics, it’s not just us—every country is dealing with a very tough line from the United States. That’s just a fact. But we have to deal with it,” he stated.
Prabowo emphasized that his approach is guided by a duty to protect Indonesian workers, especially from the threat of mass layoffs.
“My approach—my responsibility—is to protect the interests of the Indonesian people. It is my obligation to shield our citizens,” he said. “In the economic sphere, I must ensure there is no excuse for companies to lay off our workers.”
The President also addressed the reality of public scrutiny, noting that government decisions are often met with criticism—sometimes constructive, sometimes not.
“Of course, I deliberate, I negotiate,” he said. “There will always be critics. And that’s fine—we need criticism, we need oversight. But when it turns into relentless cynicism, that’s something else. It’s as if nothing we do is ever right. Even when we try to do good work, it’s never seen as good enough.”
Despite the challenges, Prabowo reaffirmed that his administration’s policies will remain focused on national resilience, worker protection, and fair global engagement—without compromising Indonesia’s sovereignty or the livelihoods of its people.
