Prabowo is elected as Indonesia’s president and the new government may focus on the economy

(International Observer) Prabowo is elected as Indonesia’s president and the new government may focus on the economy

　　China News Service, Jakarta, March 21: Title: Prabowo is elected as Indonesia’s president and the new government may go all out to fight the economy

　　China News Service reporter Li Zhiquan

　　The Indonesian Election Commission announced the vote count results of the 2024 presidential election on the evening of the 20th. The current Defense Minister Prabowo won the election.

In October this year, he will take over from Jokowi and officially become the new president of Indonesia.

　　Analysts believe that whether it wants to realize the vision of "Golden Indonesia 2045", achieve the goal of getting Indonesia out of poverty, or complete the plan to move the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, going all out for the economy will be the new government's priority.

For Prabowo, the difficulties and challenges are not small.

　　On the evening of the 20th, Prabowo delivered a speech calling on the Indonesian people to unite, look to the future and work together.

　　Determined to lift Indonesia out of poverty

　　"We must unite to eradicate poverty and hunger," Prabowo said in his speech.

In an earlier campaign debate, he also expressed his determination to "liberate Indonesia from poverty, hunger and malnutrition."

He said this is our oath to the Indonesian people.

　　Throughout the entire campaign cycle, Prabowo repeatedly mentioned the issue of poverty eradication, which coincides with Jokowi's philosophy of "boosting the economy and lifting people out of poverty."

　　After ten years in power, Jokowi has enjoyed high poll numbers.

During Joko's tenure, Indonesia's economy performed outstandingly, and he also made many long-term plans for Indonesia.

Prabowo positions himself as Joko's successor. How he continues Joko's strategy can give a glimpse of his governance strategy from his public words and deeds.

　　Regarding developing the economy and getting rid of poverty, Prabowo has his own dialectic: "We must protect those who live in poverty, those who are weak and hungry. I think that if it is just for growth without eliminating poverty, economic growth is Impossible.”

　　In terms of poverty alleviation, Prabowo once praised China for eliminating poverty in the past 40 years, and Indonesia should learn from China.

　　GDP growth reaches 8% in five years

　　"In the next four to five years, we can increase GDP growth to 8% or more." Prabowo made this prediction at a recent forum and promised to build on the foundation laid by the Joko government.

　　In the eyes of the outside world, this statement not only sends a signal of all-out efforts to fight for the economy, but also appeases investors' concerns about the new government.

　　Indonesia's economic growth will be 5.31% in 2022 and 5.05% in 2023. The government predicts economic growth of 5.3% in 2024.

The challenge of increasing GDP growth from 5% to 8% within five years is indeed not small.

In Prabowo’s words, Indonesia will face huge challenges in the future.

　　However, the 8% growth rate does have practical considerations.

First, moving the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara is said to cost $34 billion.

Secondly, Indonesia proposes to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2045, that is, to realize the vision of "Golden Indonesia 2045".

Behind this, a strong economy is needed to support it.

　　It remains to be seen whether the new government will introduce more measures to further stimulate economic growth in the future.

Prabowo mentioned two points. One is that he hopes to drive growth through investment, and the other is that he hopes to drive growth through consumption.

　　"Globally, Indonesia is considered one of the most dynamic and attractive countries." Prabowo expressed optimism about attracting foreign investment.

In addition, he also mentioned that the tax rate will be increased from the current 10% to 16%, and emphasized the issues of food independence and food security.

　　Making Friends and Not Aligning

　　As a soldier, Prabowo has a tough style.

But judging from his public remarks, he is also a flexible politician.

　　"A thousand friends are too few, and one enemy is too many." Prabowo once said when participating in the presidential candidate debate that good neighborliness is the foreign policy that Indonesia has been pursuing since its independence, and he will continue to pursue this policy.

　　After voting in the general election, when asked about his attitude towards China and the United States, Prabowo said that he would respect both countries.

He said that he respects, admires and is close to China, but he also respects and likes the United States.

Prabowo stressed that he respects all countries and that Indonesia's tradition is non-alignment.

"The truth is simple, a thousand friends are too few and one enemy is too many." He repeated these words again.

　　Regarding Indonesia's role and positioning on the global stage, Prabowo said in an interview that Indonesia hopes to establish good relations with everyone, "We do not want to join one group to fight against another group."

　　Analysts believe that how to continue to enhance Indonesia's influence in ASEAN and even developing countries will be the direction of Prabowo's efforts after taking office.

(over)