In a few days‚ Prabowo Subianto will take the oath as Indonesias new president marking a significant shift in the nations leadership. The former general has laid out a wide-ranging plan to reshape Southeast Asias biggest economy
Prabowo aims to speed up economic growth to 8% (from the current 5%) His strategy includes developing industries that process Indonesias abundant natural resources and implementing a free school meals program. To attract foreign money‚ Prabowo plans to offer investors management of airports and seaports; he also intends to sell carbon credits abroad to fund eco-friendly projects that create jobs
A key part of Prabowos agenda is achieving self-sufficiency in staple foods and reducing reliance on imported fuel. He plans to expand the “Food Estate“ project‚ creating a huge area (about the size of Belgium) for growing rice corn and soybeans. Some of these crops will be used to make bioethanol. Additionally‚ Prabowo wants to increase the mandatory blending of palm oil-based biodiesel to 50% by next year up from the current 35%
The most talked-about promise in Prabowos campaign is the $28 billion “Free Nutritious Meals“ program. This initiative aims to provide food for 83 million children and pregnant women to combat stunted growth in children. While some economists worry about its cost Prabowo and his team argue that its necessary for long-term human development. The program is set to begin in stages starting from 01/01/2025
On the tax front‚ Prabowo has set an ambitious goal to increase the government revenue-to-GDP ratio to 23% from about 12%. He plans to achieve this through improved technology without raising tax rates. Theres also talk of setting up a new tax collection agency similar to the U.S Internal Revenue Service. Prabowo is considering lowering corporate income tax to 20% from 22% but this depends on how it would affect overall revenues
Regarding the new capital city project Prabowo has publicly committed to continuing the construction of Nusantara on Borneo island. However‚ some members of his coalition have privately expressed concerns about funding both this project and the nutrition program
In terms of foreign policy‚ Prabowo promises to maintain Indonesias tradition of non-alignment. He plans to keep good relationships with world powers without taking sides. Since winning the election Prabowo has been actively meeting leaders from various countries‚ showing his intention to be more involved on the global stage
Indonesia will continue its long-held foreign policy of non-alignment
As Prabowo prepares to take office‚ all eyes are on how he will balance his ambitious plans with the realities of governing Indonesias vast and diverse nation