Strength begins at home

In the face of escalating fires and geopolitical challenges, Indonesians are eagerly awaiting their President to deliver on his promise that real strength begins within the nation's borders. At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, President Prabowo Subianto addressed doubts about his frequent overseas trips by emphasizing that Indonesia's global standing hinges not on the miles traveled but on its domestic economic, political, and security foundation.

He reaffirmed that strength originates at home, through feeding the population, securing their energy needs, educating children, and providing them opportunities to thrive. Prabowo also called for tangible cooperation among BRICS leaders in areas crucial to the bloc's half of the world's population and significant global output, such as food, energy, and education.

However, public trust hinges on tangible benefits, with Indonesians expecting results promptly. While BRICS lacks binding agreements and many members, including Indonesia, maintain diverse international ties, the forum serves as a platform for Jakarta to advance national interests and demonstrate it is more than just a lucrative consumer base for foreign powers.

The same principle applies to all multilateral organizations Indonesia joins. Ultimately, the sole measure of success is whether these memberships result in tangible economic gains. In a world where nations are fiercely self-interested, Indonesia must demonstrate increased resolve and strategic discipline. Just five days after returning from New Delhi, the President announced he would skip the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, a venue he addressed the previous year, entrusting Foreign Minister Sugiono with his place. This decision signaled the administration's responsiveness to domestic sentiment.