President Prabowo Prioritizes Poverty Eradication Through Budget Efficiency

President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed that the Government will continuously implement budget efficiencies to accelerate efforts to eliminate hunger, poverty, and extreme poverty in Indonesia. The President stated that, if necessary, the budgets allocated for defense and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) could be reduced to ensure the basic needs of the people are met.

“We must eliminate hunger. We must eliminate poverty. Poverty, especially extreme poverty, must be eradicated. Insya Allah, we will achieve that. We will save our budget and make it more efficient. If necessary, we will reduce the police budget to eliminate poverty,” the President asserted in his remarks after leading a simultaneous grand harvest held in Malang regency, East Java province, on Friday (07/17).

The President conveyed that the efficiency measures form part of major effort to prepare Indonesia for its projected position as one of world’s largest countries by 2045-2050. According to him, realizing that aspiration depends on adequately preparing today’s younger generation.

“Children who are now 10 years old and in elementary school will be 35 years old in 25 years. They will become the core of the Indonesian nation. If we fail to take care of them today, how can Indonesia become the world’s fourth-largest country?” the President remarked.

In this regard, the President emphasized that national strength is determined not only by defense and security in the conventional sense, but also by the welfare of its people. According to him, a strong, healthy, and prosperous people serve as the key foundation of national defense.

“The best defense is a strong and prosperous people. If anyone threatens Indonesia, the entire nation will stand up to defend it. That is why the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Polri must remain close to the people, including farmers and fishers,” the President stated.

The President also expressed appreciation for the contribution of TNI and Polri in supporting communities through various initiatives, including the construction of bridges and the provision of clean water access. He underscored that addressing the people’s hardships is a shared responsibility of all state elements.

“Today I am proud, today I am happy. I am truly grateful. The TNI has built thousands of bridges, and Polri has also established thousands of water points. We are addressing the people’s hardships,” the President remarked.

Concluding his speech, the President affirmed that the TNI and Polri belong to the people, and must always serve the public by addressing the challenges faced by the community.

“This is Indonesia. The TNI and Polri belong to the people. The people’s hardships are our responsibility. The TNI and Polri must help overcome them,” the President concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (YA/MMB)