Hendry: President Prabowo's policies strengthen people's economy
The people’s economy cannot be separated from the issue of transport and energy costs. Farmers need haulage costs, fishermen need fuel, and MSMEs need electricity for production.
Member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives Hendry Munief has expressed appreciation for President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, which pay attention to strengthening the people’s economy through MSMEs, agriculture, fisheries, cooperatives and the village economy.
“The people’s economy cannot be separated from the issue of transport and energy costs. Farmers need haulage costs, fishermen need fuel, and MSMEs need electricity for production,” Hendry said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.
The statement was made in response to President Prabowo’s speech presenting the Draft Law on the 2027 State Budget and its Financial Note at the House of Representatives building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8).
According to Hendry, the people’s economy encompasses MSMEs, agriculture, plantations, livestock, marine affairs, fisheries, cooperatives and the village economy, all of which need to be strengthened as part of the national economy.
He assessed that the government’s policy of strengthening MSMEs and the village economy is the right step. MSME players do not only need access to capital, but also require market access, technology, digitalisation, mentoring and easier ways to improve product quality.
“If MSMEs are strong, farmers are strong, fishermen are strong and the village economy moves, then the national economy will become stronger,” he said.
He paid particular attention to energy policy, which he considers directly linked to the production costs of ordinary people. For this reason, subsidised fuel policy needs to be well targeted and protect productive citizens.
“What we are pushing for is well-targeted subsidies while providing protection to productive citizens. Farmers, fishermen or MSMEs who use energy to earn a living must not be burdened,” he said.
Hendry also welcomed plans to develop renewable energy, including the construction of solar power plants and village electrification.
“When electricity reaches a village, what arrives is not only lighting. What arrives is business opportunity. There is processing of agricultural and fishery products, MSME ventures and various other economic activities,” he said.
Beyond energy, Hendry believes transport costs also determine public welfare because they affect the distribution of agricultural and fishery products and MSME goods.
“If transport costs are cheaper, people’s products can enter the market more easily and prices can be more competitive,” he said.
Hendry therefore hopes that the 2027 draft state budget will not only pursue economic growth, but also keep the production costs of ordinary people affordable.
“The state budget must be present in people’s lives. Present in farmers’ fields, at sea with fishermen, at MSME production sites and in villages that need energy,” he stressed.
Hendry added that MSME growth, increased productivity of farmers and fishermen, movement in the village economy, and control of energy and transport costs can strengthen the foundation of the national economy.