These are the 3 Main Issues That Are the Focus of President Prabowo
President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the government remains focused on resolving fundamental issues that serve as the foundation for Indonesia’s strength and independence, ranging from food and energy security to poverty alleviation and job creation.
In the ‘President Prabowo Answers’ programme, as released by the Government Communications Agency in Jakarta on Wednesday (16/9), the President stated that food security is one of the government’s top priorities to ensure the basic needs of the population are met. “The most fundamental thing for me is that I must secure food. After that, we must secure fuel,” said Prabowo.
The government is also continuing to anticipate national energy needs through the development of palm oil-based biofuels, including 50 per cent biodiesel (B50), as well as large-scale solar energy development.
In addition to food and energy, Prabowo asserted that the government is giving serious attention to the issues of child hunger, stunting, as well as absolute and extreme poverty. “For me, what we must address immediately is child hunger, stunting, and absolute and extreme poverty,” he emphasised.
These efforts are running alongside an agenda of budget efficiency and the protection of state funds from various leakages. The President stated that the government is directing available resources towards investment in productive sectors that can generate foreign exchange and create employment.
In the economic sector, the government is also encouraging downstreaming to increase the added value of natural resources within the country. He mentioned that the government has commenced several downstream projects expected to strengthen national industry while opening more job opportunities.
The strengthening of the community economy is also being pursued through the development of the ‘Merah Putih’ Village Cooperatives and ‘Mername Putih’ Fishing Villages. These programmes are aimed at strengthening the supply chain down to the village level, increasing community income, and reducing logistics costs.
Furthermore, Prabowo explained that the integration between fishing villages and the ‘Merah Putih’ Village Cooperatives could provide market certainty for fishermen’s catches, while simultaneously supporting the fulfilment of the population’s protein needs. “So they will not worry about where the off-taker is. This calculation is very clear; their lives will improve,” the President added.
In the education sector, the government continues to implement various interventions to improve the quality of human resources, including the digitalisation of learning, school renovations, and enhancing teacher competence.
The President emphasised that all these steps are part of the effort to strengthen Indonesia’s foundation to face future challenges. “We want everything to move faster, but God willing, we will succeed in achieving our targets,” he said.
Prabowo also touched upon the seizure of assets at the Hotel Sultan as another example of his administration’s approach. Beyond reforestation, Prabowo also wants waste issues resolved to realise an Indonesia that is safe, healthy, clean, and beautiful.
The President stated that differences in political party backgrounds would not prevent him from appreciating regional heads who are deemed to have performed well. As Jakarta approaches its five-hundredth anniversary, his administration will continue to strengthen Jakarta’s transformation into a competitive global city.