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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has said Europe is growing increasingly rattled over its boycott of Indonesian palm oil products, arguing that other countries badly need the commodity.
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia - President Prabowo Subianto has shown no concern over the European Union's accusations that Indonesia is driving deforestation through palm oil production.
Instead, he insisted that Europe has grown increasingly confused over its own boycott of Indonesian palm oil products, claiming that many countries are, in fact, in desperate need of it.
Speaking at a briefing on the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan at the Bappenas office in Jakarta on Monday (30 December), Prabowo said:
"When I travel abroad, I feel that many countries expect too much from Indonesia. I'm almost worried – they expect so much, as if we've become some great power."
"Especially because they badly need our palm oil. It turns out palm oil is a strategic commodity. Many countries are afraid of losing access to palm oil. So protect our palm oil plantations everywhere – they are national assets," Prabowo said.
Prabowo called on regional heads to actively assist in this effort. He also expects the protection of palm oil plantations to involve the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the National Police.
Separately, President Prabowo said Indonesia needs to expand its palm oil plantation area.
"Don't be afraid of accusations of danger or deforestation. Palm oil is a tree – it has leaves, it absorbs carbon dioxide. How can we be accused of deforestation? These people aren't being rational," he added.
Prabowo also asserted that Europe was thrown into panic when Indonesia announced it would limit palm oil exports to those countries.
"We're fine. In fact, when they wanted to talk about restrictions, Europe became the confused one. I said, 'Thank you, we won't sell to you.' They panicked themselves," Prabowo said.
The president noted that Europe's chocolate industry would be thrown into chaos, since palm oil is one of the raw materials used in its production.
Prabowo also claimed that other industries would be affected by the rejection of Indonesian palm oil products, ranging from detergent manufacturing to cosmetics in Europe.
Source: CNN Indonesia