Jakarta. Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto reiterated his commitment on Sunday to uphold Indonesia's long-standing principle of non-alignment in global affairs should he secure the presidency.

Indonesia stands as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, established in 1961 during the Cold War era. The movement's roots trace back to the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung in 1955.

During the presidential debate in Jakarta, Prabowo emphasized the importance of Indonesia's foreign policy, underlining the need to safeguard national interests while fostering amicable relations with nations worldwide.

"Having a thousand friends is insufficient while having one enemy is one too many," Prabowo said at the Istora Sports Stadium in Jakarta.

In his capacity as the current defense minister, Prabowo stressed the significance of maintaining a robust defense, asserting that peace is unattainable without a formidable military. Safeguarding the nation aligns directly with the fundamental responsibility outlined in the 1945 Constitution -- ensuring the safety and security of the Indonesian population, he said.

Prabowo also underscored the historical challenges the nation has faced, including external interventions and exploitation of natural resources at minimal costs.

"Throughout history, Indonesia has grappled with external efforts to divide, conquer, and exploit our resources at minimal returns," Prabowo said. "To propel Indonesia towards development and prosperity, creating sustainable employment, safeguarding and effectively managing our resources are imperative."

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