"We understand that perhaps now, technologically we may not be able to defeat the technological strength of other countries, but our defense is based on the concept of total people's war, which means that every citizen of Indonesia has the right and duty to defend the country," Prabowo said, in a presentation to the House's Commission I, which oversees defense, foreign affairs, information and intelligence.

He argued that it has been a traditional defense principle by the people and that the TNI was not the only component of the defense forces.

"[If war breaks out] maybe our facilities and equipment would be destroyed, but I am certain that Indonesia would not be occupied by another country, because all the people would become components of the national defense," he continued. "This should be the focus of our thinking and national defense deployment moving forward."

The Gerindra Party chairman said the concept of total people's defense had three components namely a main component, which consists of the TNI; a reserve component; and a support component, which he said would involve all sectors of society, ranging from farmers and students to political parties.

Boosting the components would require participation by other ministries and institutions outside of the Defense Ministry, such as the Education and Culture Ministry

"The education ministry should have a major role in the education and training of reserve officers in high schools, junior high schools and higher education institutions,” the former commander of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) said.

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