SBY Comments on Prabowo's Speech, Highlights 6% Economic Target
Indonesia’s 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) believes the development direction being prepared by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration for 2027 is increasingly clear and offers new hope for the public.
SBY made the remarks while giving his views on the substance of President Prabowo’s State Address, although he was unable to attend in person the series of events marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day anniversary.
“I assess that, speaking about 2027 and at the same time marking the entry into force of the 2027 State Budget, I see that the direction of the blueprint and development agenda to be implemented by the government next year is, in my view, increasingly good, increasingly clear and provides new hope for all of us,” SBY said in a post on the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono YouTube channel, quoted on Monday (17/8/2026).
According to SBY, the government still faces considerable challenges, both domestic and international. However, the agenda designed by the government is considered to be in line with the needs and expectations of the public.
Among these are maintaining economic growth, reducing unemployment and poverty, and improving health services, education and infrastructure development.
SBY also highlighted the 6% economic growth target, which he considered quite high and ambitious. Nevertheless, he assessed that the target is not impossible to achieve.
“I know the economic growth target of, say, 6%, is quite high, ambitious. Although ambitious does not mean it cannot be achieved,” he said.
He then touched on his experience leading Indonesia for 10 years. According to SBY, average economic growth of around 6% during his administration had a positive impact on various economic and social indicators.
“Because from my experience leading the country for 10 years with an average of 6%, thank God poverty fell sharply, unemployment likewise, state debt also declined drastically, but GDP including per capita income rose sharply,” he said.
Therefore, SBY believes that if the government is again able to achieve 6% economic growth, the impact will be positive for the public.
However, he reminded the government to maintain fiscal health and ensure that policy implementation runs well.
“The important thing is that our leaders and government do their best so that what was conveyed before the people from the podium at Senayan yesterday can be realised properly,” SBY said.
He closed his message by inviting all elements of the nation to carry out their historical and moral responsibility to bring Indonesia to become an increasingly advanced, just and prosperous country.
“Happy Independence Day to us all, and we all have a historical responsibility, a moral responsibility, to ensure that our nation, our country, becomes better, more advanced, fairer and more prosperous going forward,” he concluded.
SBY also apologised for not being able to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day anniversary in the country on 17 August 2026. He was also unable to attend President Prabowo’s State Address or take part in the series of events commemorating the Proclamation of Independence at the Merdeka Palace as in previous years.
“I personally apologise for not being able to join the celebrations in the country, nor attend President Prabowo’s State Address, as well as commemorate the moments of the Proclamation of Independence at the Merdeka Palace,” SBY said.
SBY explained that he is currently in Rochester, United States, to undergo a series of medical check-ups at the Mayo Clinic. The examinations are scheduled to run until the end of August 2026, and SBY hopes to return to Indonesia in September.
According to SBY, the medical examinations are part of the recommendations of the presidential medical team that has been handling his health.