Prabowo Doesn't Want People To Live Hard, Promises To Open Jobs

Prabowo Subianto/via ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto's candidate believes that Indonesia, which is a member of the group of 20 countries with the world's largest economy (G20), should not allow its people to live difficult lives.

Therefore, Prabowo is determined to increase economic growth while making policies that protect the poor and vulnerable groups.

On the north coast of Java, on the north coast of Jakarta, there are people who live submerged in water to the highest knees in their homes. We have to overcome this, and we will overcome it. I am determined to overcome this because we cannot become members of the G20 but there are residents who live in such conditions," Prabowo said during a speech at the Mandiri Investment Forum 2024 in Jakarta as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 5.

Therefore, Prabowo assessed that the government not only acts as a regulator, or is limited to being a referee, but must also be a leader who protects his people.

"We have to protect those whose lives lie, those who are weak and starving. Economic growth if only for growth, without eliminating poverty, in my opinion, cannot be realized. We need economic growth. We need welfare. Therefore, we must create jobs, support trade and business sectors, "said Prabowo.

Prabowo believes that Indonesia can achieve this welfare, including increasing the tax ratio to 16 percent of GDP, as are neighboring countries in areas such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Our tax ratio, I think, is in the range of 10 percent, now it's 10 percent, while neighboring countries are 16 percent. Thailand, Malaysia 16 percent, Vietnam, Cambodia around 16, 17, 18 percent. There is a lot of room to continue to rise, "said Prabowo.

Meanwhile, for future economic growth, Prabowo is optimistic that the economic growth rate can reach eight percent.

"My estimate is, in the next four or five years, we can increase economic growth by up to eight percent, maybe even more," said Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo emphasized that these goals could be realized because he was determined to improve, including increasing efficiency, making rational policies and proving successful, as well as gathering the nation's best children to build the country.