Prabowo: Let’s Be Honest – Has Growth Been Equitable?

President Prabowo Subianto officiated the Pancasila Birth Ceremony at the Pancasila Building in Jakarta on Monday (1 June), calling on all parties to reflect on whether economic growth has been evenly distributed across Indonesia.

“For decades, the economy has grown, but has that growth been equitable? Has it been fairly felt by all Indonesians? Let us be honest about the reality we face,” Prabowo said.

He stated that all parties must acknowledge the nation’s weaknesses and challenges, noting Indonesia’s abundant natural resources have not been shared equitably among citizens. Prabowo pledged that these resources should benefit all Indonesians without exception.

“Too long, our people have merely been spectators of their own wealth,” he added.

Prabowo acknowledged the task is difficult and fraught with challenges, mentioning unpatriotic elements would obstruct government efforts, though he did not specify who.

He stressed that all Indonesians must have equal access, with children entitled to proper nutrition and farmers receiving timely fertiliser at fair prices. “We cannot allow only a few to profit; for too long, the pricing of our natural resources has been dictated by foreign entities,” he said.

The Pancasila Birth Ceremony is held annually on 1 June to commemorate President Sukarno’s 1945 speech to the BPUPKI introducing the nation’s foundational philosophy.

Attendees included Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla (10th and 12th), and members of the Red and White Cabinet, such as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, and Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights Imipas Yusril Ihza Mahendra.