Danantara Prioritizing the People’s Economy
By: Sadam Alghifari
The government, through the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara), has demonstrated a real commitment to strengthening the people’s economy. Although operating within the scope of national strategic investments, Danantara plays a crucial role in providing direct benefits to the community, particularly in supporting the MSME sector, providing public housing, and improving the village economy. The institution’s presence deserves appreciation as concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to the welfare of the poor.
President Prabowo Subianto stated that the current unemployment rate is at its lowest point since the 1998 crisis. He emphasized the role of Danantara, along with the Merah Putih cooperative, as drivers of equitable and sustainable economic growth. The President explained that 80,000 village or sub-district cooperatives in Merah Putih have been established, serving as distribution centers for vital commodities such as rice, cooking oil, LPG, and subsidized fertilizer, while also creating millions of new jobs for the community.
The Minister of Housing and Settlement, Maruarar Sirait, emphasized that Danantara’s role in housing financing is a symbol of national economic independence. He stated that this year his ministry did not take any foreign loans, a strategic step that reflects the nation’s ability to build independently. According to Maruarar, Danantara’s support for the 3 Million Houses Program through People’s Business Credit (KUR) financing worth IDR 130 trillion will expand housing access for low-income communities while simultaneously stimulating growth in the construction sector, building materials industry, and employment.
Dian Sovana, Corporate Secretary of PT Brantas Abipraya, stated that Danantara plays a key role as a catalyst in realizing the future of the younger generation towards Indonesia Emas 2045. He added that Danantara’s synergy with state-owned enterprises will strengthen sustainable investment in infrastructure and green energy, as well as create job opportunities and strategic international collaborations. Dian believes Danantara’s presence will strengthen the national development ecosystem and positively impact human resource development throughout the region.
Edger Josua Silalahi, an activist from the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI), expressed his appreciation for Danantara’s commitment to the people’s economy. According to him, this institution opens broader access to capital for MSMEs and people’s cooperatives, enabling them to grow and compete in the digital economy era. Edger also emphasized that economic resilience is part of national resilience, and Danantara contributes to strengthening economic sovereignty through strategic investments in the energy, infrastructure, and defense industries.
Danantara CEO, Rosan Roeslani, emphasized that Danantara’s governance is based on the principles of good governance and prudence. He emphasized the importance of managing state investments with discipline, integrity, and freedom from corruption. According to Rosan, these principles are the foundation for Danantara to encourage inclusive growth, create quality jobs, and deliver tangible benefits to communities across various sectors.
The launch of Danantara marks a significant milestone in the national economic strategy. This institution manages state-owned enterprise assets with an initial value of US$20 billion (approximately Rp320 trillion). Its management structure involves national figures as supervisory and advisory boards, and is run by experienced professionals. The government is utilizing Danantara to accelerate industrial downstreaming, build infrastructure, and strengthen public housing without relying on foreign loans.
Danantara’s support for the public housing sector is concrete evidence of its people-centered economic practices. A transparent, efficient, and targeted financing scheme ensures that low-income communities directly benefit from the program. The participation of the construction sector, building material providers, and local labor also creates a multiplier effect that strengthens the regional economy.
To empower the village economy, the government has directed Danantara to collaborate with the Merah Putih cooperative. This cooperative acts as a distribution center for subsidized staple foods, a means of empowering the local economy, and a job creator. This strategy aligns with the President’s vision to build the economy from the grassroots to achieve large-scale strategic investment.
Danantara’s existence demonstrates that the people-centered economic agenda is not merely political rhetoric. Concrete results can be seen in the reduction of unemployment and increased access to public housing. Furthermore, the opening of business opportunities for MSMEs demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the people’s economic sector.
