Jakarta. Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto warned of the rising possibility of World War III if nations fail to exercise restraint amid escalating global tensions.

Speaking at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, Prabowo emphasized that the world is facing significant challenges, including potential nuclear warfare, which could impact Indonesia despite its non-involvement.

"The world today is not in a good state. We are witnessing heightened tensions, with global defense and strategy experts suggesting that we are on the brink of World War III," Prabowo said.

He warned that a global conflict would likely involve nuclear warfare, impacting Indonesia even if the country were not directly involved.

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“If a nuclear war breaks out, although we may not be involved, the consequences will be severe. History has shown that when powers seek to impose their will, wars erupt unexpectedly, as seen in World War I and II. We also see growing tensions in Palestine that could lead to a major conflict,” he explained.

Cross-border attacks between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah have reignited concerns that the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza could evolve into a regional conflict, nearly a year after it began.

The US, France, and other allies jointly called Wednesday for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to allow for negotiations in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has killed more than 600 people in Lebanon in recent days.

Despite these concerns, Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s longstanding position as a non-aligned nation, stressing the importance of maintaining this stance amid rising global uncertainties.

“We understand that a World War III would likely lead to nuclear war. Thankfully, Indonesia has a strong tradition of non-alignment, and we will continue to uphold that position,” he said.

Indonesia officially joined the world’s anti-nuclear pact after Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi presented the country’s ratified document to the UN Secretariat on Tuesday.

The Indonesian House of Representatives passed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) into law last year after the country signed the nuclear ban treaty in 2017. Jakarta was also among the early state parties to the treaty.

Prabowo also emphasized the importance of national unity and political cooperation in safeguarding the country's interests. He cited his experience as a partner of the House of Representatives' Commission I, where all political factions have supported policies aimed at protecting national security.

"I have repeatedly reminded the nation of the need to strengthen ourselves. We are blessed with extraordinary natural resources. Despite ongoing challenges with resource mismanagement, our wealth remains vast," he remarked.

He expressed gratitude to Commission I for their support throughout his tenure as Defense Minister, noting that despite differing political backgrounds, the commission has prioritized national interests above political affiliations.

“We may come from different parties, but we must never forget that we are all Indonesians. As leaders, we have a responsibility to the people of Indonesia,” he concluded.