Citing MSCI, Prabowo Says Indonesia Is Ready to Face Challenges

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia would face a range of global challenges, including developments in financial markets.

He stressed that the government would continue working to protect national interests amid the various pressures it faces. However, the President acknowledged that much remained to be done to meet public expectations.

“We have done good work, but we know the challenges are still very great. Our people expect more; we still face many difficulties and many disruptions. We continue to face obstacles,” Prabowo said as he opened a plenary Cabinet meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In response to these developments, Prabowo said Indonesia had the confidence and resilience to withstand various pressures.

He said the government would continue to strive to protect national interests without ignoring the challenges at hand.

The President also stressed the importance of perseverance in difficult circumstances.

“There are all kinds [of challenges], aren’t there? They [MSCI] want to scare us. I will just say to MSCI: the Indonesian nation fears no one and will not be intimidated,” he said.

Prabowo added that the government was open to making greater spending cuts if necessary.

Such measures are one option for safeguarding the state’s financial resilience while ensuring the government remains able to deal with various challenges.

“We have courage, we are willing to make sacrifices, and we do not know surrender. Ladies and gentlemen, if necessary, we will make massive savings. We will be even more frugal,” he added.