Jakarta, Aug. 15 -- President Prabowo Subianto stated that Indonesia's ultimate purpose of independence is to free the people from poverty in his inaugural state address on Friday.

"The purpose of our independence is to be free from poverty, hunger, and suffering. Our country must stand on its own feet," he emphasised in the state address at the Parliament Complex here.

"Our country must be sovereign in its economy and achieve food self-sufficiency," Prabowo added.

In front of members of parliament and state guests, the president expressed his optimism that Indonesia's diverse natural resources will help the country achieve self-sufficiency.

"Our challenge is to maintain and manage our resources to ensure that the ideals of independen...