Fithra Faisal: Need Rp10.000 Trillion for the Economy to Grow 8 Percent, the Energy Sector Can Be a Driver
JAKARTA - Senior economist from the University of Indonesia, Fithra Faisal Hastiadi, is optimistic that the economic growth target of 8% can be realized. The figure is the political target of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto for 2029. As for the third quarter of 2025, Indonesia's economy grew 5.04% year on year. "We can achieve that target, but we have to work hard," he said when talking to Eddy Wijaya in the EdShareOnyang podcast aired on Wednesday, December 25, 2025.
The advisor at PT Samuel Sekuritas Indonesia explained that to achieve the 8% target, Indonesia needs an investment of Rp. 10,000 trillion. The investment value can be absorbed from a number of infrastructure sectors. The first is energy with an investment target of Rp. 3,300 trillion, then communication and information technology (ICT) with Rp. 1,800 trillion, and transportation with Rp. 1,300 trillion. Other sectors that can also strengthen investment flows are clean water and sanitation, as well as housing or property.
According to Fithra, from the target of Rp. 10.000 trillion, Rp. 3.000 trillion can be contributed by domestic investment. Meanwhile, the remaining 70%, is sought to come from abroad. That is why, said Fithra, President Prabowo has often gone on safari abroad. "Mr. President is looking for economic opportunities so that investments can enter Indonesia. Not only to 1-2 countries, but also to European and Arab countries. This is part of diversifying our trade and investment partners," he said.
On the other hand, Prabowo is aware of factors that often hinder the movement of prospective investors in Indonesia. Such as uncertain legal certainty, vulnerable security, and changing rules. Fithra explained, Prabowo paid attention to improving regulations that could encourage investment, so that it could run parallel with the "development" of the quality of the Indonesian people.
Regarding this, Indonesia is said by Fithra to be able to learn from Vietnam. The Blue Dragon country is relatively aggressive in encouraging the entry of investment. This is evidenced by the third quarter of 2024, the growth of its economy reached 7.4% due to the support of foreign investment and exports. "When investors want to enter, Vietnam has provided land and trained resources. So investors just plug and play," he said.
As is known, the Investment and Industrialization Ministry or BKPM recorded that throughout 2014-2024, the value of investment entering Indonesia was IDR 9,100 trillion. Meanwhile, for this year, investment realization in the first semester reached IDR 942.9 trillion or almost half of the 2025 target of IDR 1,905.6 trillion. "Next year must be better because it is our momentum to expand further," said Fithra.
He did not deny that the flash flood and landslide disasters in Sumatra at the end of 2025 had an impact on national economic growth of 0.05-0.1%. So the economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, which was originally estimated to reach 5.2%, contracted to 5.1%. However, Fithra believes that the national economic condition will recover early next year, along with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Sumatra. "The President has gone to Sumatra, the government, the ministries are already there. Even the last cabinet meeting also focused on the recovery of Sumatra."
The free nutritious meal program in the first year of implementation has spawned a number of polemics. In addition to the different menu standards in a number of regions, distribution failures, poisoning issues, to government transparency in vendor selection and its budget. Recently, the government has also been criticized for continuing to provide MBG during school holidays. This policy is seen as inefficient and wasteful of the budget.
Senior economist from the University of Indonesia, Fithra Faisal Hastiadi, claimed that the government paid attention to the implementation of the MBG including the controversies that enveloped it. "The most important thing is institutional control. So in this context, Mr. President always looks and evaluates first what needs to be improved," he told Eddy Wijaya in the EdShareOn podcast which aired on Wednesday, December 25, 2025.
One of the efforts that the government has made is to implement certification on the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) and add kitchens starting mid-2025. This step was taken in response to public criticism who wanted the MBG menu to be more sterile and fresh, following the model of school kitchens in Japan. Until March 2025, there were 726 SPPGs in 38 provinces serving 2.5 million beneficiaries. The government targets that the number will increase to 32 thousand SPPGs so that it can reach more students.
Fithra said the government was also considering input on rules that could limit the management of SPPG so that it was not controlled by one person or group. As is known, the public was shocked by the news that a member of the South Sulawesi DPRD, Yasir Machmud, had 41 SPPG kitchens for MBG. Although the National Nutrition Agency has limited one foundation to only have 10 SPPG per province, this rule still has a loophole to enter. "On several occasions, Mr. President has considered how these economic cakes are not only used or controlled by a group of people," he said.
That is why he again emphasized the evaluation of the MBG's one-year running, including its budget. This year, the MBG budget of Rp. 171 trillion has only been used Rp. 71 trillion. "Well, for next year, the budget of Rp. 335 trillion will also be evaluated. Whether there is a buildup in one class only, or are there factors that are more inclusive as the ideals of the President at the beginning," he said.
Who is Eddy Wijaya, this is his profileEddy Wijaya is a podcaster born on August 17, 1972. Through the YouTube account @EdShareOn, Eddy interviewed many national figures ranging from state officials, legal experts, political experts, national politicians, to local celebrities. The man with a right cheek dimple is also a nationalist who is an activist for the marginalized and social observers by helping the community through the Wijaya Peduli Bangsa Foundation.
He is also active in the field of sports by serving as the Chairman of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi) Pacu and also served as Deputy General Chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) East Jakarta. Eddy also served as an Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chinese Social Association, 2022-2026 term of office. His ideas were formed because of his hard work to be independent since the age of 13 until he was successful as he is today. For Eddy, the world of work is not as smooth as imagined, failure and rejection are common. This is what makes him hold the tagline "Success is only a matter of time". (ADV)