Jakarta, ThedailyID — President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia has spent too many years watching its natural wealth generate benefits abroad instead of creating prosperity at home.
Speaking at the Pancasila Day ceremony on Monday, Prabowo stressed that Indonesia remains one of the world’s largest producers of key commodities, including nickel, copper, tin, gold, coal, and palm oil.
However, he argued that the added value from those resources has not fully reached the Indonesian people. Prabowo said many citizens have become “spectators” while others enjoyed the benefits of the country’s wealth.
“Too long have our resources failed to fully deliver prosperity for the people. Too long has part of the added value been enjoyed abroad,” Prabowo said.
He called for an economic transformation that places national interests and public welfare at the center of development policies. Prabowo also emphasized that economic growth should benefit a broad segment of society rather than a small group.
The president said farmers should have access to affordable fertilizer, fishermen should receive fair market opportunities, and workers should earn decent livelihoods.
Prabowo’s remarks come as the government strengthens efforts to keep more export earnings and investment capital within Indonesia. Officials recently introduced stricter rules requiring natural resource exporters to retain a larger share of foreign exchange proceeds in domestic financial institutions.
The government hopes the measures will support national development, strengthen economic resilience, and ensure that more benefits from Indonesia’s natural resources remain in the country.
