By: Setyo Budiantoro (Senior Researcher The PRAKARSA, Fellow Lecturer of IDEAS Global Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Postgraduate Lecturer, Udayana University)
Prabowo Subianto, in his book “National Transformation Strategy Towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” offers a vision that is not only ambitious, but also full of depth of thought that reflects his mindset as a leader who cares about Indonesia’s future.
Amid increasingly complex global challenges, such as climate change, geopolitical instability, and rapid technological developments, Prabowo emphasized the importance of returning to the basic values outlined by the nation's founders in the 1945 Constitution. He believes that to achieve a strong, prosperous, and respected Indonesia on the international stage, we must return to the principles of Pancasila Economics, a system designed to ensure social justice and welfare for all Indonesian people.
In Prabowo's thinking, Pancasila Economics is not just an economic concept; it is a reflection of national identity that places social justice and common welfare above individual interests. In his view, economics is not just about how resources are allocated, but also about how we see ourselves as a nation and how we decide to live together.
Therefore, returning to the principles of Pancasila Economics is an effort to realign the direction of development with the noble values that are the foundation of this country.
Prabowo argued that the deviation from these values has created a very striking inequality in Indonesia. When market mechanisms and a handful of oligarchs control the economy, what happens is the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few people, while the majority of the people are marginalized.
This is a betrayal of the mandate of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which states that natural resources and important branches of production must be controlled by the state for the greatest possible prosperity of the people.
Thus, Prabowo reminded that returning to Pancasila Economics is not only about correcting economic policies, but also about restoring the true identity of the nation.
But more than that, Prabowo views the economy as a field where moral and ethical values are tested. The economic injustice that occurs in Indonesia, he said, is not only the result of wrong policies, but also of our failure as a nation to maintain our commitment to social justice.
Here, Prabowo poses a deeper question: What is the meaning of progress if only a few people enjoy it? What is the meaning of economic growth if it only widens the gap between rich and poor?
In these questions, we can see that Prabowo's mindset is not only limited to technical economic issues, but also to deep reflection on social justice.
The crisis of economic justice and the flow of national wealth
One of the central themes in Prabowo's critique of the current economic system is what he calls "net outflow of national wealth," where more of Indonesia's national wealth flows abroad rather than being used for domestic development.
According to him, this phenomenon is not new, but has been going on for hundreds of years since the colonial era, reflecting a pattern of exploitation that still continues to this day. Although Indonesia is rich in natural resources, the country has not been able to utilize its wealth optimally for the welfare of its people, who continue to lag behind due to economic policies that are less in favor of national interests.
In a discussion about 10 years ago, the author explained to Prabowo about the flow of dark funds. (illicit financial flow) especially in a way misinvoicing, which contribute to the phenomenon.
Every year, the average flow of illicit funds in Indonesia reaches a significant figure, worsening the situation where wealth that should be used to advance the nation instead flows abroad. This fact strengthens Prabowo's argument that there are structural problems in the management of state wealth that must be addressed immediately to avoid repeating the pattern of economic colonization that only benefits a handful of parties.
In Prabowo's view, this situation is a new form of economic colonialism—a condition in which Indonesia's resources are exported abroad, while its people receive little benefit from this wealth. He describes the situation as a tragic irony, where a naturally rich nation remains poor because it fails to manage its own wealth.
This phenomenon also reflects a lack of economic sovereignty, where important economic decisions are more often determined by foreign interests or a handful of elites, rather than by the needs and interests of the Indonesian people.
Furthermore, Prabowo invites us to reflect on the moral and social impacts of this situation. When the wealth generated by the Indonesian people does not return to build the nation, we are faced with a bitter irony: we work hard, but the results are enjoyed by others.
This is a reflection of our failure as a nation to preserve and manage the wealth we have created. More than an economic issue, this is a profound social and moral sustainability issue, where we must question the extent to which we have fulfilled our responsibilities to our fellow citizens.
Prabowo also emphasized that economic injustice caused by the flow of wealth abroad is not only detrimental in terms of material, but also erodes people's trust in the government and the existing economic system. When people feel that their wealth is being stolen and there is no serious effort from the government to address it, trust in state institutions will decline.
This, in turn, could trigger dangerous social instability. Therefore, addressing this crisis of economic justice is an important step in maintaining social cohesion and political stability in Indonesia.
Prabowo Subianto offers a bold and visionary solution in an effort to transform the nation towards Golden Indonesia 2045. He believes that Indonesia must adopt an aggressive and sustainable economic growth strategy to escape the middle-income country trap. (middle income trap).
Prabowo is targeting economic growth of above 6-7 percent per year, even reaching 10 percent for certain periods, to ensure that Indonesia can increase its per capita income to be on par with developed countries.
According to him, significant economic growth is the only way to improve people's welfare and reduce economic inequality which is currently a major problem. However, behind this economic strategy, there is a deeper thought about the essence of development.
When Prabowo talks about economic growth, he is not just talking about statistical figures, but also the quality of life that is supposed to be improved through growth. The economic growth he proposes is not just to drive the economy, but to create a space where every individual can actualize themselves and contribute meaningfully to society.
Here, the economy is not just a tool, but also a reflection of the nation's values and identity. Prabowo also learned from other countries that have managed their economies well, especially China. He admires how China, through the application of the principles of state capitalism (state capitalism), has achieved extraordinary economic growth and become a global economic power.
Prabowo believes that Indonesia can learn from China's experience and adopt a similar approach, where the state takes control of vital sectors of production. He stressed that the state must play a greater role in regulating the economy and prevent the dominance of a handful of oligarchic groups who only enrich themselves without providing significant benefits to the people.
However, when talking about the role of the state, we are also faced with a more philosophical question about the balance between individual freedom and collective responsibility. Prabowo proposed that the state should take a greater role in regulating the economy, but it must be done with wisdom and fair involvement.
The state is not a restraint, but a protector and provider of equal opportunities for all its people. This balance requires high awareness from leaders and society not to get caught in extremes, either excessive liberalism or totalitarian state control.
In his thoughts, Prabowo also highlighted the importance of investment in human development as a key element in achieving sustainable growth. He emphasized that economic growth would be meaningless if not accompanied by an increase in the quality of human resources.
Therefore, Prabowo believes the state must ensure that every citizen has equal access to quality education, good health services, and opportunities for work and entrepreneurship. He also emphasized the importance of infrastructure development that supports economic growth and improves the quality of life of the Indonesian people.
In a broader view, Prabowo invites us to see human development not only as increasing technical or intellectual capacity, but also as developing critical and ethical awareness.
In an increasingly complex and challenging world, the ability to think critically, understand the long-term impacts of our actions, and act wisely is essential. Prabowo emphasized that education must create individuals who are not only intellectually intelligent, but also morally and socially mature, able to make decisions that consider collective interests above personal gain.
Economic sovereignty and national identity
Prabowo emphasized the importance of economic sovereignty as part of the strategy to achieve Golden Indonesia 2045. He believes Indonesia must reduce its dependence on imports and start producing its own goods needed by the people.
Prabowo highlighted the fact that most products consumed by Indonesians, such as cars, motorbikes and food, are still imported from abroad. He believes that with the right support from the government, Indonesia can start producing these goods itself and reduce the flow of wealth abroad.
However, economic sovereignty does not only mean the ability to produce goods independently, but also includes the ability to determine the direction of development that is in accordance with local values and community needs. Prabowo invites us to think of sovereignty not only as freedom from foreign influence, but also as the ability to build an economy that truly serves the people and strengthens social ties within the country.
This is a sovereignty rooted in a sense of responsibility towards others and towards the environment, which is oriented not only towards growth, but also towards sustainability and long-term well-being.
Prabowo sees economic sovereignty as a crucial element in maintaining national identity amidst globalization that is increasingly blurring national boundaries. When a country has economic sovereignty, it has full control over its resources and economic policies, thus being able to direct development according to national interests and the needs of its people.
In this context, economic sovereignty is also a tool to protect local culture and values from global influences that may not be in line with national identity.
Overall, Prabowo Subianto’s economic vision for Indonesia Emas 2045 is an ambitious one. He recognizes that the challenges facing Indonesia are enormous. However, he also believes that with wise leadership, the right strategy, and strong collective work, Indonesia can achieve its ideals as a just, prosperous, and internationally respected country.
This book is not only a blueprint for the future of the Indonesian economy, but also an invitation to all Indonesian people to unite and work hard for a better future.
Upon deeper reflection, we can see that Prabowo offers more than just an economic plan. He offers a vision for building a just and prosperous civilization, one that values every individual, fosters togetherness, and maintains a balance between material progress and spiritual values.
In this vision, Indonesia is not only expected to become an economically strong country, but also a country that is an example in practicing social justice, environmental sustainability, and moral responsibility on the international stage.
Prabowo reminded that the true success of a nation is not only measured by how fast its economy grows, but also by how fairly and evenly that growth is felt by all its people.
In this framework, development cannot be separated from the social and cultural context, where every economic step must be carefully considered to ensure that it not only generates wealth, but also fosters happiness, justice and social tranquility.
In the end, Prabowo invited all Indonesian people to unite in the spirit of togetherness and responsibility, to jointly overcome existing challenges, and to work relentlessly for the realization of a strong, just, and prosperous Indonesia in 2045.
This vision is a hope, a dream that can be realized if we are all willing to sacrifice, learn, and move forward with determination and a heart full of love for the nation and the homeland. Through an approach that includes political wisdom, moral courage, and collective involvement, Prabowo proposes a transformation that is more than just economic change.
This is an invitation to build a civilization that values every individual, maintains togetherness, and maintains a balance between material progress and spiritual values. In this vision, Indonesia is not only expected to be an economically strong country, but also a country that is an example in practicing social justice, environmental sustainability, and moral responsibility on the international stage.
Thus, Prabowo Subianto's economic vision for Golden Indonesia 2045 is a call for a spiritual and moral journey rooted in national values.
This is a journey that requires us to reflect on who we are as a nation, what we want for the future, and how we can achieve it responsibly to each other and to the world.
Through this vision, Prabowo invites us all to dream big, but also to work hard and unite in realizing an Indonesia that is not only materially prosperous, but also rich in wisdom, justice, and peace.
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This article was previously published on kompas.com and is divided into 2 parts with the title “Understanding Prabow's Mindset and Economic Concepts” (Part I) and (Part II Finished)".