Finance Minister Purbaya Brings Prayers for Economic Growth on Hajj Pilgrimage

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has revealed that he will carry special prayers for Indonesia’s economy while performing the Hajj this month. He hopes that national economic growth will continue to strengthen and societal welfare will improve in the coming years. “The prayer is for faster economic growth. Prayers so that the economy keeps getting better, stronger. In three years, we’ll all get rich together,” Purbaya stated during a media discussion at Kebon Sirih, Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon (6/5/2026). Purbaya said he plans to depart for the Holy Land on 21 May 2026, although the schedule is still awaiting confirmation. Currently, he is preparing himself, including attending briefings on Hajj rituals. “Tonight, I’m going to practice; they say it’ll guide how to perform Hajj properly,” he added. This statement comes amid the government’s optimism regarding national economic growth. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.61% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, an increase from 4.87% in the same period last year. Purbaya views this achievement as a signal that Indonesia’s economy is emerging from the trend of growth around five percent. The government is targeting sustained economic growth approaching six percent by the end of the year. “If I may say, we’ve escaped the curse of five percent growth. Now it’s 5.61%. We hope it gets faster going forward,” he said. He also urged the public to remain optimistic about the national economic situation. According to him, Indonesia’s fiscal fundamentals remain solid, with the state budget deficit kept below three percent of gross domestic product (GDP). “Our fiscal position is good, the deficit is controlled. Compared to many countries in Asia and the world, we’re among the strong ones,” Purbaya remarked. BPS Head Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti previously noted that household consumption remains the primary pillar of economic growth in the early part of the year. Public purchasing power is deemed stable, supported by national holidays and religious observances such as Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr. “The first quarter 2026 economic growth was partly supported by steady public consumption,” Amalia said. Household consumption contributed the largest share to economic growth, at 2.94%. Additionally, various government stimuli, such as Eid bonuses, transport ticket discounts, and stable interest rates, have bolstered public spending activities.