Prabowo Subianto, the current President of Indonesia and successor to President Joko Widodo, delivered a powerful critique of neoliberal economic theory during his speech at the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) on Wednesday evening. He challenged the belief that concentrating wealth at the top will eventually benefit the wider population, labeling it as a myth that has never been realized. Prabowo emphasized the importance of Article 33 of the Constitution, which focuses on securing and protecting the state by ensuring the people’s prosperity, safety, and freedom from poverty and hunger. While acknowledging the value of democratic ideals, he stressed that they hold no meaning if citizens continue to face basic hardships. Prabowo highlighted the economic spirit embodied in Article 33, advocating for an economy based on principles of mutual cooperation and familial solidarity rather than corporate conglomeration. He rejected neoliberalism’s justification of inequality, which promises a trickle-down effect from the rich to the broader population over time, noting that this theory has yet to materialize even after 200 years. Prabowo’s speech reflected his commitment to a people-centered economy and inclusive economic policies, aimed at serving all citizens rather than just the elite.
