Misbakhun Claims 5.61 Percent Economic Growth is the Highest in 14 Years
Chairman of Commission XI of the DPR RI, Mukhamad Misbakhun, has defended Indonesia’s 5.61 percent economic growth in the first quarter of 2026. Misbakhun emphasized that the 5.61 percent growth in the first quarter is the highest in the last 14 years. According to him, this achievement surpasses the performance of previous finance ministers.
“The 5.61 percent in Q1 is the highest we have ever achieved in the last 14 years. The previous ministers, who claimed to be the best in the world, could not even achieve 5.61 percent,” said Misbakhun in a discussion on the Hendri Satrio Official YouTube channel, quoted on Friday (May 15, 2026).
Misbakhun appreciated the performance of Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Although he was only appointed in September 2025, Purbaya is considered to have successfully driven the economy effectively in a short time.
The success at the beginning of 2026 also ensures that the economic growth target of 5.2 percent in the 2025 State Budget has been achieved. For 2026, the government has set a target of 5.4 percent.
“Even though it’s only quarterly, Purbaya has managed to do it in a relatively short time since he was appointed. Even at the end of (2025) he also achieved high growth. Now the target for 2026 is 5.4 percent, and we are optimistic that it can be achieved,” he said.
Misbakhun also dismissed criticism from economist Ferry Latuhihin, who previously said that the figure was the result of “doping” from government spending, which jumped 21 percent in order to please the President. He emphasized that all fiscal mechanisms, including debt and deficits, are carried out transparently and constitutionally.
He emphasized that the State Budget is a product of political agreement between the government and parliament.
“What debt? All of our economy is based on deficit calculations. The deficit is set together in the process of establishing the State Budget. It is not Mr. Prabowo who sets it alone, this is set together with the representatives of the people. All eight parties in the DPR agree, no party has given a dissenting opinion,” said the Golkar politician.
Previously, economist Ferry Latuhihin doubted the quality of the economic growth. Ferry believes that the drastic increase in government spending does not reflect the real conditions on the ground and is more of an effort to provide a pleasant report for the Head of State. (H-2)
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