President Prabowo: Indonesia’s Natural Resources Must Be Fully Used for Greatest Interest of Its People
President Prabowo officiates the groundbreaking of the national downstream project phase II, Refinery Unit IV in Cilacap, West Java province, on Wednesday (04/29). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto Wednesday (04/29) reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the nation’s natural resources are managed and utilized for the greatest interest of the Indonesian people.
“Our natural resources have long been exploited and controlled by businesspeople whose nationalism is questionable. We have granted them mining and plantation concessions, provided them with credits from the national banks, yet once they succeeded, they chose not to run their businesses in Indonesia,” he said in his remarks at the groundbreaking of the national downstream project phase II, Refinery Unit IV in Cilacap, West Java province.
The Head of the State also expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in the development of downstream projects and underscored the importance of business players, state-owned enterprises, and experts as key drivers of national economic transformation.
“These projects were not initiated overnight, but are the result of years, perhaps even decades of thought, the product of ideas, aspirations, and dreams of Indonesia’s leaders, technocrats, and scientists, which have now taken shape in these concepts,” he added.
On that occasion, President Prabowo called on technocrats, scientists, and engineers to dedicate their expertise for the interest of the nation. Intelligence and ability must be used to improve public welfare, not for purposes that harm the country, he added.
“It is time for technocrats, scientists, engineers, and professors to prove their patriotism, to stand with the people, the state, and the nation. Do not use your intelligence to deceive the nation and its people, to cover up corruption and embezzlement. Do not use your intelligence to enrich other nations,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Government will continue to accelerate various strategic programs aimed at achieving equitable welfare for the people. Through downstream projects and the strengthened natural resources management, the Government promotes a more just and equitable distribution of welfare. From Cilacap, President Prabowo delivered a strong message that a new era has just begun, an era in which Indonesia’s wealth is managed fully for its people. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/TM)
