President Prabowo Subianto has asserted that Indonesia’s push for food and energy self-reliance is driven not by ideology but by “common sense,” emphasizing its urgency in an increasingly volatile global landscape. Speaking during a question-and-answer session with senior journalists and experts at his Hambalang residence, aired on Thursday, he framed national resilience as a fundamental necessity.
“I think the school of thought is the school of common sense common sense and reality,” Prabowo said, stressing that basic human needs, particularly food, underpin civilization. Drawing on historical perspectives, he argued that conflict has consistently stemmed from competition over resources. “Without food, there is no civilization,” he added, warning that reliance on globalization to meet domestic needs is increasingly untenable.
He cited the Russia–Ukraine war as an example of how distant conflicts can disrupt global stability, noting that tensions between two major wheat producers triggered a surge in global food prices. “The world is getting smaller; everything is interconnected. Conflict in one place impacts the entire world,” he said, highlighting the risks of import dependency amid geopolitical uncertainty.
When asked whether his policies were intended to prepare Indonesia for direct conflict, Prabowo noted that warfare has been a constant throughout human history, reinforcing the need for national self-sufficiency. Addressing fiscal concerns, he dismissed criticism over the reallocation of funds for the free nutritious meals program. He maintained that “efficiency measures,” aimed at keeping the fiscal deficit below 3 percent, would not undermine essential sectors. “We’re not reducing education or operational costs,” he said, adding that critics were “dramatizing” routine budget adjustments.
Presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi said the government is seeking up to IDR 80 trillion (approximately $4.7 billion) in spending cuts to create a fiscal buffer against potential fallout from escalating Middle East tensions, including the United States–Israel conflict involving Iran, though he did not specify where cuts would occur.
Indonesia is also considering fuel-saving measures, such as work-from-home arrangements for public sector employees, as geopolitical tensions push global oil prices higher. Despite these pressures, the government has reiterated that the free meals program, budgeted at $19.7 billion for 2026, will remain intact. Fuel subsidies, which account for around 15 percent of the state budget, have also been firmly defended.
Economist Mohammad Faisal of CORE suggested reallocating funds from lower-priority programs, including reassessing the free meals initiative. He emphasized linking the program with domestic production and involving MSMEs to create a multiplier effect.
Josua Pardede of Bank Permata cautioned that the program must deliver measurable improvements in nutrition, health, and productivity while supporting local agriculture. Otherwise, it risks crowding out more productive investments. He also warned that prolonged cheap energy could become a hidden subsidy unless tied to efficiency gains.
March 23, 2026, The Jakarta Post
(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2026/03/23/self-reliance-common-sense-prabowo-says-as-war-tests-global-order.html)