TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following a visit to the headquarters of state-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said the country’s defense industry still lacked in many aspects.

“Yes, it has plenty of drawbacks, as is life in general. So now the problem is how we look for solutions to overcome those issues,” he said at the Senayan Parliamentary complex on Monday.

Prabowo, his deputy Wahyu Sakti Trenggono and officials of the Defense Ministry will hold a meeting with the House's Commission I today. Prabowo, however, did not detail the issues to be canvassed in the meeting.

Prabowo assured that he intended to step up Indonesia’s defense capabilities. He said the country’s vast and rich geography, according to history, had always attracted the interests of other nations.

“We yearn for peace. We also do not want to be bothered by others, but we must be strong enough to defend ourselves. I think that is the main mindset,” said Prabowo Subianto.

When asked about the soldier’s welfare, the former Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) commander said he would fight for it but remained realistic about the country’s economic situation.

“A soldier’s welfare cannot be guaranteed if the country’s economy is not stable. So we must surely see this issue from a comprehensive view,” said Prabowo Subianto.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI