Prabowo Subianto, the current President of Indonesia and successor to President Joko Widodo, delivered a strong criticism of neoliberal economic theory during his speech at the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB). He argued that the belief in the trickle-down effect, where wealth concentrated at the top eventually benefits the wider population, is a myth that has never materialized.
Emphasizing the importance of Article 33 of the Constitution, Prabowo highlighted the need for the state to ensure the safety and prosperity of its people, with the goal of eradicating poverty and hunger. He stated that democratic ideals hold little value if citizens continue to face basic hardships such as inadequate housing, hunger, and unemployment.
Referring to the spirit of the 1945 Constitution, Prabowo pointed out that Article 33 promotes an economy based on mutual cooperation and familial solidarity, rather than corporate dominance. He criticized neoliberalism for perpetuating inequality and justifying the enrichment of a few at the expense of the majority.
Rejecting the idea of trickle-down economics, Prabowo argued that the wealth redistribution process takes too long and has not shown any results in the past 200 years. His remarks reflect his commitment to building a people-centered economy that serves all citizens, not just the elite. This vision includes inclusive economic policies aimed at reducing inequality and promoting shared prosperity for all Indonesians.
