Prabowo at ASEAN Summit: We Must Not Be Carried Away by Rivalry's Current

From Jakarta, this is Tempo Magazine.

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Kita tidak boleh membiarkan persaingan. Kita tidak boleh membiarkan masa lalu kita menentukan masa kini dan masa depan kita. Indonesia bertekad untuk membangun kebijakan bertetangga yang baik.

President Prabowo Subianto's firm stance at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, underscores Indonesia's long-held commitment to regional peace and stability. His call for ASEAN to resist being drawn into the vortex of global geopolitical rivalries is not just rhetoric; it reflects a deep-seated Indonesian foreign policy principle that prioritizes dialogue and cooperation above all else. In a world increasingly fractured by great power competition, Prabowo's message serves as a crucial reminder of ASEAN's unique role as a potential stabilizing force.

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Sekali lagi, kita tidak boleh terbawa dan tidak boleh terpengaruh oleh arus persaingan geopolitik dan ego saat ini.

His emphasis on maintaining ASEAN's independence and preventing external rivalries from fracturing the bloc is particularly resonant. Indonesia, as the region's largest economy and a key player in ASEAN, has always championed the centrality of the association. Prabowo's articulation of this principle, urging ASEAN to become a "zone of peace" and a global example of harmony, directly addresses the anxieties felt across Southeast Asia regarding the escalating tensions between major global powers.

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Di tengah makin dalamnya perpecahan, budaya perdamaian ASEAN tidak hanya harus dilestarikan, tetapi juga harus kita majukan agar menjadi contoh global. ASEAN harus benar-benar menjadi zona perdamaian.

This message is especially significant coming from President Prabowo, a former military leader. His call for a "culture of peace" and cooperation, rather than succumbing to competitive "currents," signals a pragmatic approach to foreign policy. It suggests that Indonesia, under his leadership, will continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions and multilateralism, even as global dynamics become more volatile. This perspective often contrasts with the more assertive or interventionist approaches seen elsewhere, highlighting Indonesia's unique position as a proponent of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence within its own neighborhood.

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Jika ada satu pelajaran yang telah dipetik ASEAN selama beberapa dekade, itu adalah bahwa masa-masa sulit tidak memecah belah kita.