Prabowo Hails Brics Entry, Reaffirms Indonesia's Non-aligned Stance
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech during a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, June 21 (Bernama) -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Friday reaffirmed his country's non-aligned foreign policy and praised its swift entry into the BRICS bloc, while setting out an ambitious economic strategy aimed at food security and inclusive growth.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he thanked Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil for supporting Indonesia's admission into BRICS and the New Development Bank.
bootstrap slideshow
'We were among the fastest to be accepted into BRICS,' he said at the forum, which was officiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Indonesia officially joined BRICS on Jan 6, 2025, a group made up of five major developing countries namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Prabowo voiced strong support for a shift towards a multipolar global order, saying 'the era of unipolar dominance has passed', and praised Russia and China for 'consistently defending the oppressed and fighting for justice'.
He also dismissed speculation over his absence from the G7 summit in Canada, saying he had already committed to the Russian forum.
'It's not a political message. Indonesia remains non-aligned,' he said, in remarks broadcast online by the Presidential Secretariat.
Prabowo also expressed concern over rising global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, and called for peaceful resolutions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
CSOs Key Partners In Efforts To Strengthen Unity
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- Civil society organisations (CSOs), which has presence and influence at the grassroots level, are essential partners in shaping a more cohesive and harmonious Malaysia as well as in strengthening national unity, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. He pointed out that in any diverse and pluralistic nation, the task of building and sustaining national unity cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the government, but requires the collective commitment of all layers of society, including CSOs. 'Unlike government agencies, which may operate through formal structures and procedures, CSOs engage communities in a more personal, accessible, and consistent manner such in neighbourhoods, in rural areas, in urban settlements, often serving as the first point of contact for people who feel unheard or left behind,' he said in his speech at the Muhibbah Night 2025 event organised by The Pure Life Society here today. CSOs play a vital role because they are often the closest to the people that able to identify early signs of social tension, cultural misunderstanding, or discrimination, and intervene constructively before these issues deepen into division or conflict, he added. They are also important trusted, neutral voices and serve as credible bridges between different communities, especially in discussions around race, religion and identity that can be sensitive or politicised. 'When CSOs speak about the need for understanding and respect, they often do so with the moral authority that comes from years of non-partisan, community-driven work. 'This trust enables them to bring people to the same table, to foster difficult but necessary dialogue, and to mediate when disagreements arise,' Aaron said. He further emphasised that CSOs complement government efforts, particularly in communities that are isolated and marginalised. Their ability to reach those at the periphery of society ensures that the message of unity is not just heard in policy statements, but lived out in everyday lives.


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia exploring new palm oil markets amidst geopolitical conflicts
KOTA BARU: The government is exploring new markets for Malaysia's palm oil in an effort to reduce the nation's reliance on major exporting markets affected by geopolitical conflicts. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the ongoing Israel-Iran crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have disrupted export shipments to certain zones. "Malaysia currently exports goods worth RM186 billion annually to global markets, including palm oil, but part of these markets are now considered high-risk due to armed conflicts. "As such, we are exploring new markets, namely, countries that have yet to purchase Malaysian palm oil or cooking oil. "This is crucial to ensure that our export levels remain stable," he said, adding that the country is currently trading with nearly 80 nations, with plans to expand its reach even further. Speaking to reporters after attending the 'Dialogue with KPK' programme at the Mara Poly-Tech College, Kota Baru here today, the minister also urged plantation operators and smallholders to work closely with the government to ensure the resilience of the national commodities sector on the global stage. He said planters and operators must work with the government to address challenges at the international level. "The European market is increasingly emphasising environmental sustainability and biodiversity-friendly practices in palm oil procurement. "To enter their markets, we must prove that our plantations meet their standards, comply with sustainability principles and preserve biodiversity," he said. Johari said that providing good service and meeting buyer requirements should be a priority to help turn new buyers into long-term customers. "We are asking them to buy more from us, but the service we provide is just as important," he said. — Bernama


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Saturday it would recommend U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, an accolade that he has said he craves, for his work in helping to resolve the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. Some analysts in Pakistan said the move might persuade Trump to think again about potentially joining Israel in striking Iran's nuclear facilities. Pakistan has condemned Israel's action as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. In May, a surprise announcement by Trump of a ceasefire brought an abrupt end to a four-day conflict between nuclear-armed foes India and Pakistan. Trump has since repeatedly said that he averted a nuclear war, saved millions of lives, and grumbled that he got no credit for it. Pakistan agrees that U.S. diplomatic intervention ended the fighting, but India says it was a bilateral agreement between the two militaries. 'President Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi, which de-escalated a rapidly deteriorating situation,' Pakistan said. 'This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker.' Governments can nominate people for the Nobel Peace Prize. There was no immediate response from Washington. A spokesperson for the Indian government did not respond to a request for comment. Trump has repeatedly said that he's willing to mediate between India and Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir region, their main source of enmity. Islamabad, which has long called for international attention to Kashmir, is delighted. But his stance has upended U.S. policy in South Asia, which had favored India as a counterweight to China, and put in question previously close relations between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a social media post on Friday, Trump gave a long list of conflicts he said he had resolved, including India and Pakistan and the Abraham accords in his first term between Israel and some Muslim-majority countries. He added: 'I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do.' Pakistan's move to nominate Trump came in the same week its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met the U.S. leader for lunch. It was the first time that a Pakistani military leader had been invited to the White House when a civilian government was in place in Islamabad. Trump's planned meeting with Modi at the G7 summit in Canada last week did not take place after the U.S. president left early, but the two later spoke by phone, in which Modi said 'India does not and will never accept mediation' in its dispute with Pakistan, according to the Indian government. Mushahid Hussain, a former chair of the Senate Defence Committee in Pakistan's parliament, suggested nominating Trump for the peace prize was justified. 'Trump is good for Pakistan,' he said. 'If this panders to Trump's ego, so be it. All the European leaders have been sucking up to him big time.' But the move was not universally applauded in Pakistan, where Trump's support for Israel's war in Gaza has inflamed passions. 'Israel's sugar daddy in Gaza and cheerleader of its attacks on Iran isn't a candidate for any prize,' said Talat Hussain, a prominent Pakistani television political talk show host, in a post on X. 'And what if he starts to kiss Modi on both cheeks again after a few months?'