Book on 'Ideological Baton' from Sumitro to Prabowo Outlines Vision for Indonesia's Prosperity

Political communication analyst Hendri Satrio, known as Hensa, has released a book entitled ‘Estafet Ideologi Sumitro ke Prabowo’ (The Ideological Baton from Sumitro to Prabowo), which highlights how the ideology of renowned economist Sumitro Djojohadikusumo is currently being interpreted by his son, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Speaking at the book launch at Universitas Paramadina, Jakarta, on Wednesday, Hensa clarified that the baton should not be understood literally as Sumitro handing a relay stick to Mr Prabowo, but rather as Mr Prabowo taking up the baton from Sumitro to continue his ideas for bringing prosperity to Indonesia. The founder of the KedaiKOPI Survey Institute stated that the book was written using a public communication approach, which he believes can illustrate the sequences of Sumitro’s thought being implemented by Prabowo in a more fluid manner. He explained that the book was his attempt to understand what Sumitro’s past thinking looks like when translated by Mr Prabowo today, how substantial it is, and how significant the differences are. The launch was attended by several notable figures, including Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, Chairman of Commission XI of the House of Representatives Mukhamad Misbakhun, and Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency Budiman Sudjatmiko. Several academics also provided responses, including economist and Chairman of the Paramadina Waqf Foundation Wijayanto Samirin, University of Indonesia economist Ninasapti Triaswati, and Universitas Paramadina lecturer Wachid Ridwan. At the event, Ferry Juliantono remarked that few people currently dare to discuss ideology, noting that it is rarely a part of public discourse. He praised Hendri Satrio for having the courage to discuss ideology at a time when public discourse seldom addresses it. Misbakhun, who opened the event, opined that Hensa’s work seeks to document Sumitro’s pro-people economic thought. He described the book as an effort to document the ideological thinking of Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, the father of President Prabowo, which embodies a people-based economy, translates Article 33 of the Indonesian Constitution, and examines how that economy is operationalised. Meanwhile, Budiman Sudjatmiko interpreted the theme of an ‘ideological baton’ as a fundamental principle for Prabowo Subianto about the importance of doing the right things. He emphasises that this ideological guidance is crucial to ensure that every correct belief is always executed in the right manner, highlighting the core point of how Mr Prabowo can be confident that what he does is the right thing. University of Indonesia economist Ninasapti analysed the book and found that the continuity of the economic vision is implemented institutionally with adjustments made for strategic challenges and national security. She stated that Sumitro’s thinking is subsequently translated into the Astacita, which is Prabowo’s Development Programme, but with an emphasis on the importance of strengthening the defence and security framework in accordance with the state foundation of Pancasila, democratic principles, and human rights. Universitas Paramadina lecturer Wachid Rahman assessed that Hendri Satrio’s book successfully highlights the process of ideological construction occurring between the economist Sumitro Djojohadikusumo and Prabowo Subianto. He noted the book excellently demonstrates how Sumitro’s ideology was transferred and constructed into Mr Prabowo, highlighting the very strong socialist identity attached to Sumitro, although he questioned how this has been constructed or transformed within Prabowo today.