In Conversation With President-Elect Prabowo Subianto

Summary

Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, outlines his priorities for the nation, focusing on food and energy security, poverty reduction, and industrialization. He plans to build on the foundation set by outgoing president Joko Widodo, aiming for ambitious economic growth, with a target of 8% in the first few years. Prabowo discusses moving the capital to Nusantara, improving governance, and cutting corruption. He dismisses concerns over his leadership style, emphasizing his dedication to improving the lives of Indonesians and serving the people as a patriotic leader.

Takeaways

• 🇮🇩 Prabowo Subianto, a four-star general turned politician, is set to be Indonesia's new president and expresses readiness to lead the country of 280 million people.
• 🌾 His priorities include food security, energy security, and poverty reduction, focusing on making Indonesia self-sufficient in these areas.
• 📈 Prabowo is confident that Indonesia can achieve 8% economic growth during his presidency, aiming for double-digit growth within the next few years.
• 🥘 Agriculture, food production, and green energy, including biofuel from palm oil, are key growth drivers in his early economic plans.
• 🌍 Prabowo addresses concerns about Indonesia's protectionist policies, defending them as a means to protect national interests and industrialize the country.
• 💰 He plans to fund initiatives like free lunches and milk for students by focusing on efficient governance, cutting waste, and maintaining a budget deficit of 3%.
• 🏙️ The $35 billion capital relocation to Nusantara is part of his vision to decentralize growth from Jakarta and address ecological concerns.
• 🧑‍💻 Digitalization and governance reforms, such as IT-based procurement and improved tax collection, will drive growth and reduce waste in the administration.
• 🛡️ Despite his military background, Prabowo emphasizes that his leadership style will be based on patriotism and serving the well-being of the Indonesian people.
• 🇮🇩 He is driven by a desire to serve the people and improve living conditions, with a deep concern for poverty despite Indonesia's standing as a G20 member.

Q & A

Who is the new president-elect of Indonesia mentioned in the transcript?

The new president-elect of Indonesia mentioned in the transcript is Prabowo Subianto, a four-star general turned politician.

What are the main priorities outlined by Prabowo Subianto for his first two years in office?

Prabowo Subianto's main priorities include food security, energy self-sufficiency, poverty reduction, processing natural resources, industrialization, and cutting down corruption and waste.

What growth target does Prabowo aim to achieve during his presidency?

Prabowo aims to achieve a growth rate of 8% or more within the first five years, with the possibility of reaching double digits in the next two to three years.

How does Prabowo plan to achieve food and energy security in Indonesia?

Prabowo plans to focus on agricultural production and food distribution, as well as transitioning to green energy by producing diesel from palm oil to reduce Indonesia's diesel import costs.

What is Prabowo's stance on Indonesia's protectionist policies, and how does he justify them?

Prabowo denies that Indonesia is protectionist, arguing that protecting national interests is logical and necessary for industrialization. He believes it is essential to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources.

How does Prabowo plan to fund his social programs, such as providing free lunches and milk for students, without exceeding the 3% budget deficit limit?

Prabowo believes the programs can be funded by cutting waste, refocusing spending, and improving governance. He also emphasizes Indonesia's tradition of prudent fiscal management.

Why is Prabowo committed to moving Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, and how does he plan to fund the $35 billion project?

Prabowo supports moving the capital to relieve the ecological burden on Jakarta and promote growth outside Java. He plans to spread the cost over 25-30 years, believing Indonesia's budget can handle it, with domestic resources leading the effort.

How does Prabowo respond to concerns that his military background might influence his leadership style?

Prabowo dismisses these concerns, stating that he has been out of the military for over 25 years and that his leadership style will be guided by his genuine commitment to the well-being of the Indonesian people.

What measures does Prabowo plan to introduce to improve governance in Indonesia?

Prabowo plans to digitize government procurement through an IT catalog, revamp tax revenue services, and focus on cutting waste to improve governance.

What is Prabowo’s main motivation for becoming the president of Indonesia?

Prabowo’s main motivation is to serve the Indonesian people, particularly by improving the lives of the poor and addressing the country's inequality, given its global economic standing.