As President Joko Widodo of Indonesia steps down from office this Sunday, he leaves behind a legacy of high approval ratings due to strong economic growth. However, his successor Prabowo Subianto has grander ambitions, including a $28 billion free meal plan for students.
Despite the country’s consistent annual growth rate of about five percent, the former general aims to build on his predecessor’s policies to achieve an eight percent growth rate by leveraging the nation’s vast human resources.
In his victory speech in March, Prabowo emphasized the importance of prosperity in bringing justice to all Indonesians and eliminating poverty, hunger, and suffering. To accomplish this, he plans to implement large national projects, utilize the country’s abundant natural resources, and reduce the poverty rate of over nine percent.
While he intends to continue many of Widodo’s economic programs, Prabowo also proposes a bold initiative to provide free meals to millions of schoolchildren and pregnant women nationwide, with the goal of addressing growth stunting and creating new employment opportunities.
Despite some concerns about the feasibility and cost of the plan, Prabowo remains committed to rolling it out in January while adhering to the annual fiscal deficit limit mandated by law.
Prabowo’s economic agenda will focus on human capital development, agriculture, and environmental initiatives, aiming to transform Indonesia into an advanced and developed economy while maintaining continuity with existing projects like the capital relocation scheme and resource nationalism.
His early meetings with global leaders and the selection of his cabinet members will provide further insights into his economic strategy moving forward.
Overall, Prabowo’s plans suggest a shift towards prioritizing human capital development and sustainable growth, signaling a departure from the infrastructure-centric approach of his predecessor.
