Prabowo: Economics Is Simple, Don't Treat It Like a Divine Science

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – President Prabowo Subianto has spoken about national wealth being taken “out” of the country, making it difficult to provide a decent life for the people. According to Prabowo, economics can be understood simply: managing the fruits of one’s endeavours well.

He made the remarks while attending the 28th Harlah (anniversary) summit of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at the Jakarta Convention Centre on Thursday (23/7/2026).

In his speech, Prabowo said the management of national wealth must be carried out so that it remains within the country, with the aim of improving the welfare of society.

“We have wanted independence for hundreds of years, for decades. We want independence so that we, all the Indonesian people, can live decently. We want our people to live decently. How can we give our people a decent life if our wealth keeps being taken, taken abroad and not enjoyed by our people? This makes no sense. Where is the logic in this?” said Prabowo.

Prabowo gave an example from everyday life, noting that members of the public running small businesses such as coffee stalls are engaged in economic activity.

“So mothers and fathers, economics must not be treated as some kind of science of the gods. Economics is simple. If a mother opens a food stall, that is economics. How much does a cup of coffee cost to make, how much is it sold for, the difference is profit, and the profit is saved,” he said.

Prabowo then linked this analogy to the state of the national economy. According to the chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Indonesia’s main problem is that the nation’s wealth flows abroad, so it does not deliver optimal benefit to the people.

“Indonesia’s wealth is taken abroad and not saved because it isn’t in Indonesia,” he said.

Furthermore, the head of state said the direction of Indonesia’s economic policy being pursued is not a new idea. Rather, it is a mandate of the 1945 Constitution, particularly Articles 33 and 34.

“Articles 33 and 34 of our Constitution – that is my conviction. There is nothing new in my ideas. There is nothing extraordinary in my ideas. My ideas are simply about upholding our Constitution. Because I am convinced that Articles 33 and 34 are the soul of the struggle of our nation’s founders,” he said.