President Prabowo Enlists NU to Tackle Rp5,800 Trillion Wealth Drain

President Prabowo Subianto has openly requested strategic support from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) community to stop the leakage of state wealth that has persisted for decades. Speaking at the closing of the NU’s National Deliberation (Munas) of Alim Ulama and Grand Conference (Konbes) in Bangkalan, East Java, on Tuesday (23/6), the President revealed startling data on capital outflows amounting to thousands of trillions of rupiah.

The President explained that over the past 22 years, Indonesia actually recorded a significant trade surplus of 436 billion US dollars. However, ironically, around 346 billion US dollars, equivalent to Rp5,800 trillion, flowed abroad and was enjoyed by only a handful of parties.

Responding to this economic ‘bleeding’, the President asserted that Indonesia requires a system capable of saving and safeguarding the nation’s wealth. Strengthening this system is crucial so that irregularities enriching a select few can be permanently stopped.

Prabowo also expressed high appreciation for NU, which he considers a stabilising factor for the nation. ‘I always feel comfortable among the NU community, comfortable and safe, because NU is indeed a religious organisation, but it is very nationalist, patriotic, and loves the homeland,’ he stressed.

PBNU General Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf welcomed the President’s presence and affirmed NU’s commitment to maintaining stability and supporting national development. In a similar vein, PBNU Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar stated that NU will continue to support the government as long as the policies taken are oriented towards the welfare of the people.

President Prabowo’s move in bringing concrete data before the kiai and ulama signals a new chapter in the transparency of state wealth management, where moral support from Indonesia’s largest mass organisation is key to overseeing the transformation of the national economic system.