Prabowo Considers Investigating SOE Directors Dating Back 30 Years

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — President Prabowo Subianto has opened the option of investigating the management and directors of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) going back 30 years.

Prabowo even mentioned the possibility of establishing a special ad hoc court to investigate SOE management during that period.

He made the remarks in his speech at the Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the DPR-DPD RI at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026).

According to Prabowo, the idea emerged after the government established Danantara as Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund (SWF) and discovered that the number of SOEs was far greater than he had expected.

“When we formed Danantara, our sovereign wealth fund, our SWF, we found that there are 1,074 SOEs,” Prabowo said.

He admitted he had previously estimated the number of SOEs at only around 300-400 companies. However, after further investigation, the number reached 1,074 SOEs, with a number of companies having subsidiaries, sub-subsidiaries, and even sub-sub-subsidiaries.

“I thought there were 300-400 SOEs, but there are 1,074,” he said.

Prabowo assessed that this situation points to problems in SOE governance. He said there are SOEs that, in carrying out their activities, appear not to be accountable to the state and the government.

“These SOEs sometimes work as they please, are not accountable to the nation and state, and the government is disregarded. I do not understand how this could have happened,” Prabowo said.

According to Prabowo, there are too many SOEs that are unproductive and continue to suffer losses. He also touched on the financial reports of a number of SOEs that he said showed profits, but those profits were merely fabricated.

“If I reported everything, I fear our people would be angry. Ladies and gentlemen, there are too many SOEs that are unproductive and keep losing money. The reports say they are profitable, but that profit is just made up,” Prabowo said.

In light of this situation, Prabowo opened the possibility of establishing a special ad hoc court to investigate past SOE management.

“Perhaps we need to form a special ad hoc court to investigate the management and directors going back 30 years, perhaps,” Prabowo said.

Nevertheless, Prabowo also opened the possibility of granting special amnesty to parties willing to admit their mistakes.

He said the amnesty could be given to those who have repented, realised their mistakes, and admitted them.

“But I will face the assembly, face the DPR. If necessary, we will provide an opportunity for special amnesty for those who repent, those who are aware, those who confess,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo then left the decision on this matter to the DPR as the people’s representatives.

“Well, I leave this to the people’s representatives to decide,” he said.