Prabowo Highlights Need to Steer the Economy in the Right Direction for National Prosperity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto said there is a need to improve the direction of Indonesia’s economy to ensure that wealth from Indonesia’s natural resources can be used to enhance the welfare of the people. In delivering the Macro Economic Framework and the Principles of Fiscal Policy (KEM-PPKF) at the 19th Plenary Session of the DPR RI for the 2025-2026 Session Year at the Parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, President Prabowo Subianto highlighted that over the past seven years Indonesia’s growth has reached around 35 percent, but on the other hand the percentage of people living in poverty and at risk of poverty rose by 3.4 percent in 2017-2024 and the middle class declined by 4.7 percent in the same period. “Brothers and sisters, the answer must be scientific, the answer must be mathematical and in my view the answer is not merely possible, I am sure, the economic system we are running is in the wrong trajectory. Perhaps our differences with countries such as Mexico, India, the Philippines and others are systemic differences,” said Prabowo. The president referred to government revenue as a share of GDP for Indonesia in 2024 reaching 11 percent, compared with Mexico at 25 percent, the Philippines 21 percent, India 20 percent and Cambodia 15 percent. Regarding this, Prabowo said that if the direction of the economy continues as it is, in a few years it will become an issue in achieving the improvement of national welfare. Because welfare and prosperity are closely linked to national sovereignty, preventing a nation from living in fear of the dynamics that exist. In addition, he highlighted fraudulent practices where some businessmen do not report profits or sales factually, and even establish companies abroad to obtain prices far below normal. Not only that, the President highlighted that although Indonesia is a major producer of a number of commodities, export selling prices are largely determined by others. He gave an example of how the price of crude palm oil is determined by other countries. Specifically he highlighted Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945) where the economy is organised as a joint venture based on the principle of kinship. “All the people must enjoy our economy, brothers and sisters. With the principles of togetherness, efficiency, justice, sustainability, environmental awareness, independence. Independent, standing on our own feet and maintaining balance, progress, and unity of the national economy,” the President said. He reminded that this has been explained very well by the nation’s founders in the 1945 Constitution. Therefore there is no need to seek another interpretation. “This is the blueprint of our economy, brothers and sisters. If we deviate from this blueprint, do not blame anyone except ourselves who are unwilling to accept the entrusted mandate from the founders of our nation,” said Prabowo Subianto.