Prabowo Subianto, the current President of Indonesia and successor to President Joko Widodo, delivered a strong critique of neoliberal economic theory during his speech at the 27th anniversary celebration of the National Awakening Party (PKB). He emphasized the myth of wealth trickle-down theory, stating that the concentration of wealth at the top does not benefit the wider population as believed. Prabowo highlighted the importance of Article 33 of the Constitution, which aims to secure and protect the state by ensuring the prosperity of its people and eliminating poverty and hunger. He emphasized that democratic ideals hold little value if citizens continue to face basic hardships like housing shortages, hunger, and unemployment.
Prabowo pointed out that Article 33 of the Constitution promotes an economy based on mutual cooperation and familial solidarity, rather than corporate conglomerates. He argued against neoliberalism, which justifies inequality by claiming that wealth generated by the rich will eventually benefit everyone through trickle-down economics. Prabowo rejected this notion, stating that the trickle-down effect has not materialized even after 200 years. He emphasized the need for a people-centered economy that serves all citizens, not just the elite, and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive economic policies that aim to reduce inequality.
Overall, Prabowo’s speech at the PKB anniversary celebration aligns with his vision of promoting a more equitable economic system in Indonesia. He emphasizes the importance of serving the needs of all citizens and rejects economic models that perpetuate inequality.
