That was the gist of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s speech during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last week. More or less it reaffirmed his and Indonesia’s commitment made when addressing the 17^th regional security summit at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain last November.

Prabowo’s attendance at the Shangri-La Dialogue won attention from the audience and media not only because this was his first appearance in the prestigious forum, but also because of his possible bid to contest the 2024 presidential election. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo defeated him in the 2014 and 2019 races but opinion polls have shown the defense minister stands a big chance to win the highest office.

During the gala dinner hosted by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday, Prabowo was seated together with the prime minister, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe and Australian Defense Minister Richard Donald Marles.

In the June 11 session, Prabowo joined as one of the panelists to discuss the topic of “managing geopolitical competition in the multipolar region”. He expressed concern about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because it had resulted in global food and energy insecurity that directly affected Indonesia.

What is happening in Ukraine is a strong reminder for us not to take for granted our defense capability and independence. That’s why Indonesia should consistently strengthen its defense, although the military modernization aims for self-defense, rather than for offensive purposes.

“We have stated that we will defend our territory with every means at our disposal. And we learned from the examples of our neighbors and the situation in the world,” Prabowo said.

He also pointed out his understanding of the competing interests between the established world power and the rising world power. He said Indonesia would never engage in any military alliance with other countries, but the nation, living around friendly neighbors, would refrain from being complacent.

In his speech, Austin showed off the list of countries that have forged an alliance or strategic partnerships with the US. He described it as a profound source of stability and that the US’ integrated deterrence in the region would continue to center on its ties with allies Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

Austin said the US was poised to take the US defense cooperation with Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam to the next level. The Garuda Shield, the US-Indonesia annual joint military exercise is one example.

The dialogue was geared toward two main subjects: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its global consequences and the rising tension between the US and China, especially on the South China Sea and the question of Taiwan.

Prabowo’s high-profile presence is important to showcase where Indonesia stands in the face of a global crisis. His defense policy realism is a choice that suits Indonesia the most. We do not have the capacity for a military buildup, and even if we did, it would not make a difference amid the global uncertainty.