"The government I will lead will focus on achieving energy self-sufficiency," he stated in his inaugural speech after being sworn in as the 8th president of Indonesia at the Nusantara Building in the Senayan legislative complex on Sunday.
He emphasized the need for energy self-sufficiency as vital for Indonesia's sovereignty, particularly amid rising tensions between nations and the possibility of war breaking out at any time.
"In such scenarios, each country will prioritize its own interests. If conflict arises, Indonesia may struggle to obtain energy resources from abroad," Prabowo said.
"Therefore, we must be self-sufficient in energy, and we have the capacity to achieve this."
He also noted that Indonesia is abundant in geothermal, coal, and water resources.
"Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), we have sufficient water sources and the technology to produce affordable water to meet our needs," he said.
Prabowo, 73, and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 37, took the oath of office for the 2024–2029 term during a plenary session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the Nusantara Building, succeeding Joko Widodo and Ma'ruf Amin.
At least 709 of the 731 MPR members witnessed the ceremony, which was also attended by national figures, political party leaders, and 20 heads of state-level officials along with 18 ministerial-level officials from friendly countries.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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