Jakarta, Nov. 9 -- Indonesia's Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has emphasized that the nation's resilience and global competitiveness depend not on its abundant natural resources, but on the strength of its human capital.

"Do not be too proud of natural resources. Nations progress not because of natural wealth, but because of their people. The main key is education," he said during a scientific oration at Sriwijaya University's 65th anniversary in Palembang, Sunday.

Karnavian argued that while Indonesia's natural assets rival those of global powers like the United States, Russia, and India, they are insufficient without a well-educated, healthy, and skilled population.

He pointed to Singapore as a model of how strategic investment...