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. He challenged the belief that wealth concentrated at the top would eventually benefit the broader population, labeling it a myth that has never materialized. Prabowo emphasized the importance of Article 33 of the Constitution, which outlines the fundamental principles to secure and protect the state, focusing on ensuring the safety and prosperity of the people with no poverty or hunger. He highlighted the significance of democratic ideals but stressed that they are meaningless if citizens continue to face basic hardships.
Referring to the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution, Prabowo underscored the economic spirit embodied in Article 33, promoting an economy based on mutual cooperation and familial solidarity rather than corporate conglomeration. He criticized neoliberalism, which justifies inequality under the assumption that wealth will eventually trickle down to benefit all. Prabowo rejected this notion, stating that the trickle-down effect has not materialized even after 200 years. His vision focuses on a people-centered economy that serves all citizens, not just the elite, reaffirming his commitment to inclusive economic policies and rejecting models that perpetuate inequality.
