Prabowo Surprised There Are Still Nyinyir Parties Regarding The Success Of US Import Tariff Negotiations

JAKARTA The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, expressed his concern for parties who underestimated or were cynical about the success of the Indonesian government in negotiating the decline in import rates by the United States. In the bilateral negotiations with the then US President, Donald Trump, the tariff that was originally charged was 32 percent was successfully reduced to 19 percent.

Prabowo conveyed this when attending a meeting with a number of high-ranking national political parties in Jakarta, Wednesday, July 23 evening. On that occasion, he emphasized that every diplomatic step taken by the Indonesian government, including in the economic field, always based on one main principle: protection against national interests and the Indonesian people.

"In the economic field, not only us, all countries face the United States which is known to be tough in negotiating. They have a tough policy line. But that's a fact. We can't avoid it, we have to deal. And my approach is a responsibility to protect the interests of the Indonesian nation," said President Prabowo.

Furthermore, Prabowo said that in the negotiation process, he always considered the direct impact on the domestic business climate, especially in terms of business continuity and labor.

According to him, the main goal of the negotiations is to keep business actors from going out of business, and to avoid mass layoffs (PHK).

"I have to keep so that there is no reason to lay off our workers. That's why I am deliberating, I am negotiating. But there are always those who are sarcastic. In fact, we need criticism, we need supervision, but if it's cynical it's another thing. As if everything we do is wrong. We want to work is considered not true," Prabowo said in a regrettable tone.

The President also mentioned how some parties are cynical about their flagship program which is currently being run, namely Free Nutrition Food (MBG). According to him, criticism of the program even led to questions that he considered irrelevant, such as contradicting the need for nutritious food and free education.

"In fact, the 1945 Constitution strictly requires the state to provide free education to the people. That is clear. But we must not allow hungry children. They are our future," Prabowo emphasized.

The third President of the Republic of Indonesia from the military also conveyed a message to all Indonesian people not to rush into assessing the negative policies before seeing the concrete results that will be felt. He asked the public to be patient and believe in the process, as well as in the government's intention to work for the sake of all Indonesian people.

"Believe me, the President you have chosen will work as hard as he can for the benefit of all Indonesian people. Not for a few people. I have vowed to myself, I am willing to give my soul and body for the sake of the Indonesian people," Prabowo said with a full voice commitment.

This statement is an affirmation of Prabowo's leadership direction, which wants to show a balance between courage in the face of global power and taking sides with the small people in the country.