Jakarta, April 8 -- Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his ministers to make the domestic component level (TKDN) regulations more flexible in order to maintain the global competitiveness of the country's industries.

He made the statement during a national economic forum in Jakarta on Tuesday, responding to economists' recommendations that the government take steps to safeguard Indonesia's position in global industrialization.

"We have to be realistic. If TKDN is forced, we will lose competitiveness. Let TKDN be flexible," Prabowo said.

He noted that current TKDN rules may be too rigid, leading some investors to bypass Indonesia in favor of other countries.

Prabowo said the mechanism could be revised, possibly by off...