International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) The 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

21ST ASIA SECURITY SUMMIT

THE SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE

SPECIAL ADDRESS
SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2024

SIR JOHN CHIPMAN,

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, IISS

GENERAL (RETD) PRABOWO SUBIANTO,

MINISTER OF DEFENSE AND PRESIDENT-ELECT,

INDONESIA

As Delivered
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) The 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman, IISS

Thank you very much, Mr President-elect. I might have added that you have such a long wait to
become President because you were so successful as to win the elections in the first round. May I ask
you the first question, and I might ask a second? The first question, on the conflict in Ukraine
following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy is very much looking forward in a few
weeks’ time to holding a major international peace conference to achieve some of the aims that you
outlined in your important remarks just now. Will Indonesia send a high-level delegation to that
peace conference, and if so, have you decided who will lead it?

General (Retd) Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense and President-elect, Indonesia

Well, sir, I have to remind you that I am not yet the President of the Republic of Indonesia, and that is
the authority of the current President of the Republic of Indonesia. So I think you have to ask that
question to him.

Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman, IISS

Thank you very much. I’ll turn to the audience for a couple of questions now, but I wanted to make
certain that we had noted the remarkably important statement you made that the Republic of
Indonesia is prepared, should the circumstances permit, to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza to
sustain a ceasefire, and the important offer you made immediately to provide professional medical
care to those who have suffered there. So thank you very much for that.

I’ll take a couple of questions before we close. First, please, from Germany, Richard Walker.

Richard Walker, Senior International Editor, Deutsche Welle

Thank you very much. Mr Defence Minister, you spoke eloquently about the responsibility of China
and the United States and the broader West, of the great powers, in the competition that they are
taking part in. One gets a strong sense that some countries in this region are very concerned about the
sense that they are going to be forced to pick sides in the years ahead. Can you just reflect on that?
And this is a criticism that I sometimes hear, particularly directed towards the United States. Is there
anything you would like to say about that? Thank you.

Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman, IISS

And from Malaysia, Benedict Weerasena.

Benedict Weerasena, Research Director, Bait Al-Amanah

Thank you. Thank you, Minister Prabowo, for the excellent remarks earlier. I would like to ask just
two questions. In your opening remarks, you brought up the point that there are countries that have
stated their positions but do not want to listen to the opinion of others. Can I get a bit more
elaboration on which countries are you referring to?

And my second question, on a more serious note: ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ I
totally agree with you. Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world and also
predicted to be the seventh-largest economy in the world by 2030. What do you see as Indonesia’s
rising responsibilities moving on in the next decade? Thank you.

Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman, IISS

Thank you. And from Timor-Leste, Iriana Freitas De Jesus Ximenes.

Iriana Freitas De Jesus Ximenes, PhD Candidate, Flinders University

Thank you for the opportunity. My question is, what is your position on the negotiation regarding
land and maritime boundaries with Timor-Leste as a President-elect and soon-to-be President? And

As Delivered
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) The 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

also it has become your priority agenda by expediting this process of negotiating in a good faith move
forward and leaving past behind. Thank you.

Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman, IISS

Thank you very much. Well, that’s four questions, Bapak Prabowo. So, go ahead, please.

General (Retd) Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense and President-elect, Indonesia

Thank you.

I think the first question from Mr Richard Walker, what is our views concerning the US–China
rivalry, or let us say competition? I think our views has been very well known by tradition, by
history, by the political will of the Indonesian people. We must maintain a policy of non-alignment, of
maintaining the best relations with all nations of the world. If we divide, let us say, the relationships
within concentric spheres, the Indonesian policy and one which I will promote is the maintenance, the
fostering, the enhancement of a good-neighbour policy with all our neighbours.

I have been convinced personally, as an amateur historian, that real security comes through very
good relations between our immediate neighbours. This is part of our Asian culture. We must be
close, friendly with our immediate neighbours. That is our culture in day-to-day life. Because if our
neighbour’s house gets burnt, who will help us? Will it be our cousin who lives in another city? Will it
be our sibling who lives in another village? No. It will be the neighbour next to us. So this approach,
along with my amateur study of history, convinces me that the Indonesian tradition of
non-alignment, respect for all neighbours, respect for all countries, respect for all religions, all races,
all cultures, all the great powers, is the correct way. And this we will maintain.

So, regarding the issues between China and United States, we will always promote all efforts to
achieve coexistence, to achieve collaboration, to achieve compromise. We must convince all leaders of
all these great powers that they must put the common good, the common security, the common
wealth of the whole world as top priority. That, I think, is our position, that we believe by
engagement, by respect, by communication, by negotiation, we can solve many of these problems.

We have had before military conflict with our neighbours. In my lifetime, we had conflicts with
Malaysia, with Singapore. But now we are the best of friends. We resolved our differences without
interference from any external power. We resolved our differences. We put an end to fighting with
Malaysia. We put an end to fighting with Singapore. Now we are like brothers. Now we are talking of
making perhaps a land bridge between Singapore and Batam – a land bridge between Malaysia and
Indonesia. This is our tradition. Cambodia – resolved long period, long conflicts.

East Timor – for many years I was involved in the East Timor conflict. Now, can anybody imagine
that I will sit on the same table with President Ramos-Horta? Can you imagine? Maybe there’s a
photograph or a video. Last night we were hugging each other. We were walking hand in hand. And
he has invited me to East Timor. I’m thinking about it.

Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman, IISS

Thank you very much indeed, Bapak Prabowo, for that Special Address, for your answers to
questions, for giving us the honour of your presence here. It was vital that we had this address from
you this afternoon. And we all thank you for your efforts. And good luck for the presidency.

As Delivered