New Book by Hendri Satrio Unveils the Economic Thought Lineage of Prabowo Subianto

Founder of the KedaiKOPI survey institute, Hendri Satrio, launched his latest book titled ‘Estafet Ideologi Sumitro ke Prabowo’ (The Ideological Relay from Sumitro to Prabowo) at Paramadina University, Jakarta, on Wednesday. The book explores the continuity of economic thought from the late economist Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, which is seen as being translated and implemented by President Prabowo Subianto through various development policies.

Hendri Satrio, familiarly known as Hensa, said the book was written to understand how Sumitro’s ideas evolved and are being translated in the context of Prabowo’s current administration. ‘I wrote this book to try to understand how Sumitro’s thinking in his time is translated by Mr Prabowo today, and to see the extent of continuity and differences,’ Hensa said at the book launch.

The political communication analyst explained that the term ‘estafet’ (relay) in the title does not mean Sumitro directly bequeathed his ideas to Prabowo. Rather, the relay is interpreted as Prabowo’s effort to adopt and continue Sumitro’s thoughts to achieve public welfare. The book uses a public communication approach to depict the flow of Sumitro’s thinking, which is seen as reflected in a number of Prabowo’s government policies.

The book launch was attended by several national figures, including Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, Chairman of House Commission XI Mukhamad Misbakhun, and Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency Budiman Sudjatmiko. Several academics and economists were also present as discussants.

Ferry Juliantono found the book interesting because it raises the theme of ideology, which is currently relatively rare in public discourse. ‘It is rare to find a book that discusses ideology. Therefore, I appreciate Mr Hendri Satrio’s courage in raising a theme that is now seldom part of public discourse,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Misbakhun assessed that the book attempts to document Sumitro’s economic thinking, which is oriented towards a people’s economy, and its implementation in the context of current national development. According to him, the book also reviews how economic ideas based on Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution are translated into various development policies.

Budiman Sudjatmiko viewed the theme of ideological relay as an effort to maintain belief in values considered correct while ensuring these values are implemented in the right way.