Prabowo calls for Pancasila-based economic transformation
Speaking at a ceremony marking Pancasila Day in Jakarta, Prabowo said the relevance of Pancasila in the modern era should be reflected in an honest assessment of Indonesia’s economic growth over recent decades, which, he noted, has not been distributed evenly or benefited all citizens equally.
“Pancasila is a guideline for organizing the life of the nation, society, and the state, including how we build our national economic system,” Prabowo said.
According to the president, a Pancasila-based economy is founded on five key principles, religiosity, humanity, national unity, people-centered development, and social justice.
Regarding the religious and humanitarian dimensions of the economy, Prabowo said Indonesia’s abundant natural resources should not be viewed merely as commercial assets, but as a trust that must be managed responsibly for the benefit of both present and future generations.
He emphasized that Indonesia’s economic framework is rooted in Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates state control over strategic sectors and natural resources for the greatest benefit of the people. The constitutional mandate also supports the strengthening of cooperatives and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as instruments for reducing poverty and improving public welfare.
“Therefore, cooperatives must be strengthened, and they must rise again. Cooperatives are one of the tools to lift our people out of poverty and helplessness. Small and medium-sized enterprises must be empowered, and villages must become new centers of economic growth,” he said.
Prabowo said the government’s economic agenda includes accelerating downstream processing of natural resources, implementing a single-gate export policy, improving the management of export earnings, and expanding the Free Nutritious Meals program to help build a healthy and productive future generation.
He acknowledged that efforts to transform the economy in line with Pancasila principles would not be easy, as they could face resistance from groups that benefit from corruption, smuggling, and other illegal practices.
However, he reaffirmed his commitment to making decisions that serve the broader public interest.
“As our nation’s founders and our Proclamator, Bung Karno, once advised us, we must have the courage to stand on our own feet. That is the essence of a sovereign nation,” President Prabowo said.
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Translator: Aditya/Galuh, Kuntum Khaira