Prabowo Furious Over Decades of Indonesia's Savings Being Kept Abroad

President Prabowo Subianto has once again spoken about the losses suffered by the Indonesian nation because the proceeds from its natural wealth are not stored domestically. He made the remarks while opening the XVIII National Conference of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association in Bandar Lampung, Lampung Province, on Wednesday.

The head of state initially stressed the importance of implementing Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution wisely and judiciously. “I am confident Indonesia will rise quickly and we will progress,” Prabowo said.

According to the Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Indonesia has been blessed extraordinarily by God Almighty. Since ancient times, foreign nations came to the archipelago because of the wealth contained within it. “Foreign countries and nations came here for months — not for tourism. They came seeking wealth, and they still do,” Prabowo stated.

He further emphasised that Indonesia’s natural wealth must be managed as well and as intelligently as possible. Branches of production important to the state and which affect the lives of many people must be controlled by the state. “This is in the Indonesian language. It does not need interpretation or translation; it must be implemented. The land, water and natural resources contained within are controlled by the state and used for the greatest prosperity of the people,” he declared.

“This is a constitutional mandate. We fought a war of independence with this constitution. The logic is simple: this is our wealth. How can our wealth be processed, extracted and sold abroad, yet the proceeds not be kept in Indonesia? Does that make sense?” he continued.

Prabowo likened the situation to a person running a shop, who keeps daily profits in a drawer or cupboard. “Then that drawer, that cupboard, that bag is taken by someone else. Would you feel normal about it? Your savings are taken,” he said. “For decades, Indonesia’s savings have been taken and the money not placed in Indonesia, but kept abroad.”