Prabowo seeks NU support to plug state wealth leakages
Bangkalan (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has requested the support of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to address various leakages of state wealth which, according to him, have persisted for decades and have prevented the people from optimally enjoying the fruits of development.
“I always feel comfortable amidst the NU Great Family, comfortable and safe, because NU is indeed a religious organisation, but it is very nationalist, patriotic, and loves the motherland,” said Prabowo while closing the National Consultative Assembly (Munas) of Ulama and the NU Grand Conference (Konbes) in Bangkalan, East Java, on Tuesday.
On this occasion, the President noted that over the past 22 years, Indonesia has recorded a trade surplus of 436 billion US dollars.
However, according to him, approximately 346 billion US dollars, or around Rp5,800 trillion, has instead flowed abroad and is only enjoyed by a small group of people.
“I am presenting these data and facts to NU so that NU leaders understand why teacher salaries do not increase and why the state budget always feels insufficient. It is not because we lack natural resources, but because the money is continuously taken and the majority is taken abroad,” he said.
Therefore, he believes that Indonesia requires a system capable of saving and protecting the nation’s wealth.
The President also expressed his appreciation to the NU Great Family, which has always been present in maintaining national stability in various situations.
“The NU Great Family is a stabilising factor that makes this nation and country safe and comfortable. I am confident that NU will always play a positive role because the kiai and ulama are figures who are closest to the people,” he said.
In his speech, Prabowo emphasised that he was inaugurated with an oath to uphold the 1945 Constitution and the applicable laws and regulations.
Regarding the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, the President affirmed that the programme will continue as it is intended to assist those in need. “If it were stopped, it would be strange, because MBG is a programme for the poor. If there are things that need to be improved, I agree,” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Chairman of PBNU, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, expressed his appreciation for the President’s presence at the closing of the Munas Alim Ulama and Konbes NU. He reaffirmed NU’s commitment to continue preserving the nation and supporting national development efforts.
“The President always thinks about the people, therefore we maintain a positive outlook (husnuzan) to improve what is lacking,” he said.