President Prabowo to US Investors: 1,000 Illegal Mines Closed, 4 Million Hectare Seized

WASHINGTON DC - President Prabowo Subianto promoted "certainty in the legal process" to American business actors in a way that was not entirely sweet. Prabowo admitted the list of problems, then handed over the number of regulations. At the Gala Iftar Business Summit of the US Chamber of Commerce, Washington DC, Wednesday (18/2), he said that the government he led targeted corruption to illegal economy, which he linked to social-political stability and an environment conducive to business activities.

"My government is committed to fighting corruption and irregularities," said Prabowo. He said the problems faced included "smuggling, human trafficking, illegal economic activities, illegal mining, illegal fishing, and illegal logging."

Then he made a claim of a tough move: "I just closed 1,000 illegal mines. They were mining in protected forests." Prabowo also said, "I also confiscated about 4 million hectares of land from corporations that violated the law... operating outside their permit or concession area."

Prabowo emphasized the core message to investors: "We handle our problems directly. We enforce the law. We strive to create an atmosphere of certainty in the legal process." According to him, it will add social and political stability.

However, he also opened up a side that is often a complaint of the business world, namely bureaucracy. Prabowo admitted that he received input from corporations who "complained about the slow solution". He used it as an excuse to slow down the government's work rhythm. "This is what I like: solving problems very quickly... in the current era, speed is very important," he said.

In the HR sector, Prabowo offers more concrete cooperation: the establishment of 10 new universities based on STEM and medicine, the construction of 500 quality schools, and the recognition of the shortage of 140,000 doctors. "That means it will take 14 years ... unless there is a real new effort," he said.