Cak Imin Says National Health Costs Are Dominated by Curative Care

Jakarta — Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin, the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, has highlighted that national health expenditure is still heavily dominated by treatment rather than preventive measures. He said this during the Festival Jejak Jajanan Nusantara held at the South-West Car Park area of the Gelora Bung Karno complex (GBK) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday 8 February 2026. He argued that healthy living, including regular exercise, must be promoted continuously so that preventive approaches can be prioritised to safeguard public health. ‘Our national health costs are still predominantly curative rather than preventive. If the enthusiasm for sport continues to blaze and spreads evenly, God willing we will significantly reduce our treatment costs so that we stay healthy,’ he said. ‘Through sport we prove that being healthy extends life. Healthy is money-saving. Healthy people are more productive.’ At the event, Cak Imin said he deliberately joined in exercise to keep up a steady physical activity rhythm during Ramadan. He also praised the rising enthusiasm of Indonesians for sports. ‘Even while fasting, sport remains spirited. We deliberately take part so that the regular exercise rhythm remains on track. Therefore we will continue to maintain the enthusiasm to stay consistent and never stop exercising,’ he added. ‘We are grateful that recently the enthusiasm for sport among people across Indonesia has been very lively and energetic,’ he observed. During the proceedings, Cak Imin also joked about the benefits of exercise, noting that it can slim the body so clothing sizes become smaller and costs cheaper. ‘A friend of mine named Mr. Bambang has become slimmer through exercise; with a slimmer figure, his clothes size is smaller and costs are lower. Happy exercising, and happy Ngabuburit Run,’ he said.