MUI Chairman Reveals Why Prabowo Is Disliked Abroad, Mentions IMF

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The general chairman of the central MUI, KH. Anwar Iskandar, supports the government’s position to reject foreign intervention, particularly from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the nation’s economic independence. According to him, this stance deserves appreciation because it demonstrates the enforcement of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution. “He is brave enough to reject the IMF. Do we know the behaviour of the IMF? The IMF is an extension of foreign interests that want to weaken this country. They want to destroy this country,” he said in a video recording on Saturday (13/6/2026). According to him, President Prabowo Subianto remains on the side of the people to lead the country towards self-reliance. “Since Indonesia was born, the president has changed eight times. There has never been a head of state who seriously wanted to implement Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution except Mr Prabowo. This is real; in his speeches everywhere, he wants Article 33 to be implemented. And this is clearly pro-people. And that is the essence of moving towards an independent country,” he stated. He mentioned that this stance by Prabowo is disliked by other countries that do not want Indonesia to become a developed nation. “The IMF is part of an extension that does not like Indonesia to progress. They want us as a nation to be colonised again and again. Well, one of the things I understand most, the one who dares to reject the IMF which has done improper things, is Mr Prabowo,” he said. Anwar added that if Indonesia continues to rely on IMF funds, it will be difficult to achieve an independent economy, and rejecting IMF funds requires great courage. “Our President wants to carry out all of that. Mr Prabowo is part of the efforts to implement Article 33. Therefore, small people like me, a villager, want to send a message to the President: Sir, do not stop this. This is not a request or anything. We feel it, we have already felt it,” he concluded.