Indonesian President Prabowo is positioning himself at the center of a high-stakes political gamble. Recently, he delivered a new state-of-the-nation address and submitted a 2027 budget proposal totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. This blueprint, far from retreating amid declining public support, is accelerating with full force in three key directions: food self-sufficiency, energy self-sufficiency, and a sweeping "shock therapy"-style overhaul of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
Indonesia originally had over a thousand SOEs; nearly one-third have already been shut down, and his goal is to reduce this number to just a fraction within the year. This means hundreds more companies will need to close in the coming months—a rare global-scale move. Meanwhile, control over strategic resource exports has been tightened, with the state reinforcing its grip on critical sectors like nickel mining, extending oversight to major ports across dozens of provinces.
The most controversial initiative—the free nutrition meal program—has faced repeated criticism due to financial burdens, corruption scandals, and mass food poisoning incidents. Yet Prabowo remains resolute: it will not be halted.
Why is Prabowo in such a rush? His approval ratings have plummeted by nearly one-third from their peak, signaling a visibly weakening base of public support. While many expected him to adopt a more cautious approach, he has instead chosen to double down against the trend.
Behind this urgency lie two pressing pressures. First, traditional political-business elites known as the “Nine Dragons,” remnants of the Suharto era, are pushing back as Prabowo undermines their interests. To maintain popular backing, Prabowo must deliver tangible results in people’s livelihoods to sustain this power struggle.
Second, the lingering shadow of former President Jokowi looms large. The Jokowi family retains strong appeal among grassroots communities and younger generations. With the next general election approaching, the two factions could shift from allies to rivals at any moment. Prabowo must produce more impressive economic achievements to build political capital.
This is a high-risk bet on the nation’s fate. Success could allow Indonesia to purge deep-rooted structural issues and achieve fundamental transformation; failure would mean millions of citizens sharing the burden of turmoil. The stakes are now laid bare. The next three years will determine whether this military-origin president becomes a reformer—or merely a passing figure.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873731351591051/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.