Prabowo at ASEAN Summit: Brings Maung, Focuses on Food Security

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the 48th ASEAN Summit held on May 7-8, 2026, in Cebu, Philippines. The Head of State departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on Thursday, May 7.

Welcomed by Maung Indonesia 1

Upon his arrival at Mactan Cebu International Airport, Prabowo was greeted by the Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine waiting on the tarmac. The white Maung vehicle, bearing the "Indonesia 1" license plate, is the President’s primary daily transport at home.

Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya noted that this occasion marks the first time Prabowo has been received in a Maung during an official overseas visit. He remarked that the deployment of the Maung at the 48th ASEAN Summit serves not only as a mode of transport but as a profound symbol of national independence and self-assurance.

"During his visit to the Philippines, the President will use a vehicle renowned as a rugged light tactical vehicle," Teddy stated, according to a Presidential Secretariat release on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Talking About Energy Security

In his address at the BIMP-EAGA special ASEAN Summit, comprising Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Prabowo brought energy security to the forefront. The BIMP-EAGA session remains an integral part of the 48th ASEAN Summit proceedings.

The Head of State observed that mounting global pressures and geopolitical instability, exacerbated by conflict in the Gulf, have transformed energy into an immediate challenge that demands an urgent response.

"Energy security is among the most critical issues we face today. It is no longer a long-term problem, but an urgent one," Prabowo remarked in the Philippines, as quoted in a written statement on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Encouraging Neighbors to Optimize Resources

Continuing his speech at the BIMP-EAGA Summit, Prabowo encouraged Indonesia's neighbors to better leverage their regional assets. He emphasized that the BIMP-EAGA region holds immense potential for the advancement of renewable energy.

Prabowo further noted that the vast potential of hydropower, solar, wind, and the region's fertile lands has yet to be fully utilized. Thus, he challenged member states on their readiness to capitalize on these resources.

"The question is, are we prepared to act upon this potential? Not just to satisfy sub-regional requirements, but to contribute to the energy transition within ASEAN," Prabowo said.

Addressing the Urgency of Food Security

In addition to his focus on energy, Prabowo underscored the gravity of food security. He pointed out that warnings from international bodies regarding the extreme El Niño threat have made food supplies a crucial issue.

He asserted that achieving food security necessitates robust cooperation and coordination across ASEAN borders. Prabowo called for enhanced information sharing, food diversification, the advancement of agricultural technology, and the strategic optimization of food reserves.

"This is not a challenge that any single nation can manage in isolation; ASEAN must act in unison," said the Gerindra Party Chair, according to a statement on Friday, May 8, 2026.

A Call for ASEAN Solidarity

While attending the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit, Prabowo urged member nations to solidify their cooperation amidst sharpening global geopolitical tensions.

He maintained that conflict and geopolitical rivalries yield only detrimental outcomes. Therefore, he argued that ASEAN must continue to center dialogue and cooperation as its foundation, while maintaining an independent stance to avoid becoming a proxy in global power struggles.

"We must lead by example and truly commit to a solid ASEAN that safeguards peace, stability, and prizes dialogue and collaboration," the former Defense Minister stated, as released by the Presidential Secretariat on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Deployment of Military Equipment for Security

To bolster regional stability during the summit in Cebu, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) conducted readiness exercises in the waters of North Sulawesi. This operation saw the deployment of various elite military units.

Brigadier General Rico Sirait, Head of the Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, stated that these exercises were executed with professional precision, emphasizing caution and a deep respect for the sovereignty of neighboring nations.

The exercise in the waters of North Sulawesi involved all three branches of the TNI to test force interoperability, personnel mobility, VVIP protection capabilities, and rapid emergency response.

"The readiness exercise involved five F-16 fighter jets, Hercules and A400M transport aircraft, and three naval vessels: KRI Brawijaya, KRI Siliwangi, and KRI R.E. Martadinata," Rico detailed in a statement on Friday, May 8, 2026.