TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In attending Sunday’s ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand, Indonesian defense minister Prabowo Subianto declared the country’s commitment to helping build Southeast Asia’s security and reputation among other world regions.

Minister Prabowo asserts that ASEAN holds large potential in natural wealth and is renowned as one of the world’s major global trade routes. He deemed ASEAN’s global emphasis is proven by how the region has attracted the interests of global forces.

“However, the potential in Southeast Asia’s seas would be hard to develop and make use of if it isn’t guaranteed by the needed protection from ASEAN members itself,” said Prabowo in the meeting on November 17.

The former Indonesian army special forces (Kopassus) general called for country members to stay committed and connected to reach collective welfare.

“ASEAN [members] must not be separated or polarized as it would only cause conflicts and discordance. Indonesia strongly defies any form of invasion from any country in Southeast Asian regions,” said Prabowo.

Among many others, the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting produced crucial multilateral partnerships in the form of; the Malacca Strait Patrol, the Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Trilateral Indomalphi, and ASEAN Direct Communication Infrastructure.

ANTARA