Prabowo: Malaysia can grant licences in two weeks, Indonesia takes two years — embarrassing

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President Prabowo Subianto has urged all government officials to facilitate investment by simplifying licensing. He delivered the message during the 19th Plenary Session of the House of Representatives in the Plenary Chamber of the MPR/DPR/DPD, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

“Indeed, the government must fix all our institutions so that there is a conducive business climate. Do not squeeze entrepreneurs, do not harass them. If Malaysia can issue licences in two weeks, why do ours take two years? Embarrassing,” he said.

According to Prabowo, subordinates do not need to craft many regulations.

“The president’s orders are clear; ministers below should not draft more, process again, ministerial regulations, technical regulations, recommendations. That’s a trick,” he said.

“Let me remind all ministers to discipline your bureaucracies downward. Be wary of those bureaucrats, because their experience is long. You come in and go out every five years. That’s if they aren’t reshuffled. Right? They are long-serving,” he continued.

“Prabowo then described a hallmark of bureaucrats. One of them is asking for signatures from a leader in the late afternoon, at 5:30 PM.”

“You’re tired, then they come and ask for a signature. Right? Correct. This is common among Golkar who smile. It means they have a lot of experience. Golkar has a lot of this experience,” Prabowo said.