Spotlighting Slow Bureaucracy, Prabowo: Malaysia Can Grant Permits in Two Weeks—Why Do Ours Take Two Years? Shameful!

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto criticised the slow process of business licensing in Indonesia. He then compared domestic bureaucracy with neighbouring country Malaysia, which he judged to be far faster and more efficient. ‘If Malaysia can grant approvals in two weeks, why do ours take two years? Embarrassing,’ said Prabowo at the 19th Plenary Session of the Fifth Session Year 2025-2026 at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Prabowo urged reforms of domestic institutions to create a healthy business climate, while also protecting business players from bribes or bureaucratic interference. The former Defence Minister also highlighted the proliferation of downstream regulations at lower levels that actually lengthen bureaucratic paths and hinder policy implementation from the centre. In his view, regulatory overlaps often become loopholes for certain individuals. ‘Let’s not have too many initiatives. The President’s orders, the ministers’ orders, and below them they make more. Process again ministerial regulations, technical regulations, recommendations,’ he asserted. Prabowo reminded ministers to be vigilant and tighten oversight of the bureaucrats under them. ‘Be wary of those bureaucrats, because they have long experience. They come and go every five years; if not reshuffled, it’s true? they are long,’ he said.