19 Million Jobs Questioned, Wamenaker Noel: Is Mr. Prabowo Really God?

Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer or Noel. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer opened his voice regarding the 19 million jobs promised by President Prabowo Subianto and Gibran during the last presidential election campaign.

Noel, who once served as Chairman of Jokowi Mania (Joman), said this target could occur as long as global economic conditions are in good condition.

But in fact, he said, economic conditions were becoming unstable, including Trump's unpredictable US Presidential election.

"Is Mr. Prabowo God able to see in the future? Does anyone know the current President of America Donald Trump? Doesn't anyone know. Everyone is all gambling," he told reporters at the Ministry of Manpower Building, Thursday, August 14.

Noel added that the government is currently working on investment-based projects that are believed to be able to create jobs.

Noel said that the promise of 19 million jobs could not be realized instantly, especially since the promise was made when global conditions were still in stable condition.

"Well, if the conditions are stable, not 19 million, 20 million will also be achieved," he continued.

Furthermore, he said, currently many companies and industries survive and make efficiency amid global uncertainty due to the tariff war due to Donald Trump.

"We see that there are indeed many industries that survive, right, defense. Some survive, some are not able, efficient, do layoffs," he explained.

Saat ditanya terkait revisi target lapangan kerja, Noel enggakn memberikan jawaban pasti.

Menurutnya, perhitungan target tersebut merupakan kewenangan Menteri Koordinator (Menko) Perekonomian Airlangga Hartarto.

"Saya belum berani memberi sebuah target ya. Tapi yang penting bahwa kita sebagai pemerintah sedang melakukan upaya semaksimal mungkin. Pasti yang terbaik lah. Gak mungkin kita mau berhalu tidak mampu. Negara ini harus pasti," tandas dia.

When asked about the revision of the job target, Noel did not give a definite answer.

According to him, the calculation of the target is under the authority of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto.

"I haven't dared to give a target yet. But the important thing is that we as a government are making our best efforts. It must be the best. We can't help but not afford it. This country must be sure," he said.