Jakarta, IO – President Prabowo Subianto reiterated that the government must demonstrate courage and decisiveness in tackling challenges to protect national interests, stressing that the public mandate carries a profound responsibility to safeguard the nation’s wealth from detrimental practices.

“We received a mandate from the people at a time and under circumstances that compel us to face challenges and hardships with courage. We can no longer approach them with excessive naivety or by striving too hard to please others,” he said on Wednesday during a plenary cabinet meeting.

He added, “We are now forced to choose to confront these difficulties and face reality, the essence of which is saving the wealth of the nation and the Indonesian people.”

In fulfilling this mandate, Prabowo emphasized the crucial role of dedication and shared accountability across his entire Red-and-White Cabinet. He also expressed his appreciation to cabinet members for their joint efforts during the administration’s first two years in office.

“Your presence here is a call of history; you are called to serve the nation, the state, and the people of Indonesia. You already understand that serving in government is truly a sacrifice,” he said.

“I am proud to be your leader. I am proud to be your president. I am proud to have led this government because in two years we have worked to deliver tangible results.”

Highlighting a global landscape marked by multiple crises, geopolitical conflicts, and rivalry among major powers, Prabowo pointed out that such conditions inevitably affect Indonesia due to an increasingly integrated and interdependent global economy.

“We are in a global condition characterized by a competition for world hegemony among major powers. This global condition will inevitably impact all countries, as our world has become so integrated that we are mutually dependent on one another,” he noted.

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Beyond geopolitical headwinds, Indonesia faces the impacts of climate change and potential natural disasters due to its geographical location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. However, Prabowo reminded officials that these geographic factors also hold significant economic potential if managed optimally.

“Even though we are situated on the Ring of Fire, this ring of fire also yields relatively fertile soil and highly valuable minerals. This, too, forms part of our national strength,” he remarked.

The first two years serve as a foundation for continuing meaningful work. Amid global uncertainty, Prabowo underscored that courage, unity, and dedication remain the primary strengths needed to guide Indonesia toward a more self-reliant, resilient, and prosperous future. (des)