January 6, 2026 | 08:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto warns about the hazard of import dependency amid brewing global tensions. Being too reliant on imports from countries experiencing geopolitical conflicts would risk Indonesia's domestic food supply.
"Now, Thailand and Cambodia continue to be at war. After the war, [there are] negotiations, a ceasefire, peace, and another [war] breaks out. In such circumstances, imagine, is it safe for us to depend on imports from countries in conflict?" said Prabowo while opening the Red and White Cabinet retreat in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
In previous years, the president mentioned, Indonesia often imported rice from these two countries to meet domestic needs. But prolonged conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia pose a risk to the supply chain and rice supply if import dependence continues.
Prabowo also recalled the bitter experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when several food-exporting countries closed their export channels to secure their domestic needs. This condition made many countries, including Indonesia, struggle to import food despite having the financial capability.
Thus, Prabowo stressed, his administration's food self-sufficiency goals are highly appropriate and relevant in anticipation of global uncertainties.
Prabowo considered food self-sufficiency as part of a national transformation strategy that is composed, measurable, and based on long-term studies to strengthen the nation's self-reliance.
"Indonesia must be self-reliant and independent, and the main element is food self-sufficiency. No nation is truly independent if it cannot guarantee food for its people," said Prabowo.
The head of state said Indonesia has been able to avoid such geopolitical risks after successfully achieving food self-sufficiency last year. This is evident by the government's rice reserves reaching around three million tons as of December 31, 2025.
"And I also feel quite proud, and honored, that today the rice reserves in government warehouses are now the highest in Indonesia's history," he said.
Read: Prabowo Compares Current Rice Self-Sufficiency to Soeharto-Era Milestones
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