President Prabowo Subianto Stresses Importance of Economic Independence amid Global Turmoil

President Prabowo Subianto delivers the State of the Nation Address at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta, Friday (08/14).

It is imperative that Indonesia has economic independence amid global turmoil marked by geopolitical conflicts, trade wars, and disruptions in global supply chains, President Prabowo Subianto has said.

“In these circumstances, Indonesia must become ever more capable of standing on her own feet. We must be self-reliant. We should not depend on external supplies because if circumstances suddenly deteriorate, we must still be able to survive,” he said in his State of the Nation Address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly and Joint Session of the House of Representatives and House of Regional Representatives at Nusantara Building in the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta, Friday (08/14).

President Prabowo pointed out that despite global economic pressures, Indonesia’s economy has continued to grow. One of the indicators is continuously increasing realized investment. It reached Rp1,931 trillion and created more than 2.7 million jobs throughout 2025, and stood at Rp1,010 trillion and created more than 1.4 million jobs in the first semester of 2026.

The President also highlighted Indonesia’s economic growth, which reached 5.61 percent in the first quarter of 2026 and 5.45 percent in the first half of the year.

“These were the highest growth rates recorded in the first quarter and first half of any year over the past 13 years,” he said while expressing optimism that the growth would reach 6 percent by the end of the year, with appropriate and rational policies.

However, President Prabowo stated that the two indicators are not the ultimate goals of development, adding that economic success must be measured by the extent to which benefits reach the people, especially the most vulnerable groups.

“Let me reiterate before this assembly. For me, growth and investment are not the ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal is to bring prosperity to the people,” he said, stressing that economic growth has little value if it does not bring real impact to the people.

According to the President, the economy must grow hand in hand with improvements in public welfare.

“That is the guiding orientation of the Government I lead,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/AW)