Economic Improvement a Priority, Government Prepares Optimal Strategy to Respond to 17+8 Demands
JAKARTA — The government under President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized that economic improvement for all Indonesians remains a top priority in responding to the demands of the 17+8 movement.
A number of optimal strategies have been prepared to ensure that the benefits of development are truly felt by the people, ranging from social assistance and labor-intensive programs to full support for MSMEs and food security.
The Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, emphasized the importance of policies that directly impact the people. This relates to the government’s commitment to improving the economy.
“Economic growth should not only be recorded in numbers, but must also be tangible in the form of employment, equality, and a better quality of life,” he said.
He added that consistent deregulation is needed to encourage more dynamic manufacturing and business operations, while also building trust from domestic and foreign investors.
“We are listening carefully to the people’s hopes, carefully calculating every need, and considering various inputs so that they can be realized in policy,” Luhut explained.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa emphasized his readiness to meet the growth target set by President Prabowo. Armed with his extensive experience in the capital markets sector, he is optimistic about improving the economic direction.
“I’ve been in the stock market for 15 years. So I know very well how to improve the economy,” he emphasized.
Purbaya acknowledged that the eight percent growth target for the next two years is quite challenging, but the first step is to reverse the slowdown into acceleration.
“As an economist, eight percent may be a bit difficult this year, but there are opportunities in the next two or three years,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto highlighted Indonesia’s economic fundamentals, which he considered solid. Fundamentally, Indonesia has solid resilience.
“Second-quarter performance recorded 5.12% growth (yoy), and the Manufacturing PMI has returned to 51.5%,” Airlangga stated.
He emphasized that the government has prepared a comprehensive strategy through accelerating state spending, strengthening domestic consumption, and implementing a free nutritious meal program that has a direct impact on the community.
With this combination of strategies, the demands of the 17+8 people were met, and the government confirmed that improving the people’s economy was not just talk, but a concrete agenda implemented in a measurable and sustainable manner. (*)
