Prabowo Revives ‘Indonesia Incorporated’ at Kadin Gathering
Jakarta, investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto has reignited the long-dormant concept of “Indonesia Incorporated,” calling for greater unity and collaboration among business leaders during a keynote address to members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or Kadin.
Speaking at Kadin Indonesia’s National Consolidation Meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jakarta, the President underscored the need for a dynamic, innovative, and cohesive business community to drive national prosperity.
“Leaders must be united. It doesn’t matter who is number one, two, or three. Just take turns,” Prabowo said, emphasizing teamwork and shared responsibility. The event also marked the inauguration of Anindya Novyan Bakrie as Chairman of Kadin Indonesia and M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M. as Chairman of the Advisory Council for the 2024–2029 term.
Rosan P. Roeslani, Chairman of Kadin Indonesia’s Honorary Council, who presided over the meeting, hailed the smooth transition of leadership as a testament to the chamber’s solidarity.
President Prabowo praised the contributions of outgoing leaders Rosan, Arsjad, and Anindya in maintaining cohesion within Kadin. He urged the business community to prioritize national interests over individual competition, emphasizing that “the country needs unity and cohesion.”
“We need a dynamic Kadin—brave entrepreneurs, innovative leaders, all working together in the spirit of Indonesia Incorporated,” he said. “Competition is healthy, but not when it leads to self-destruction. Let’s work towards shared prosperity because prosperity comes from businesses led by entrepreneurs like you.”
The Indonesia Incorporated framework envisions a close partnership between the government and private sector, with all stakeholders aligned toward the collective goal of national prosperity. Drawing an analogy to corporate management, Prabowo described the country as a corporation that requires collaboration across all sectors, from government and business to academia and civil society.
“Under this approach, we will ensure there is no unemployment, no poverty, no destitution,” the President said.
Prabowo’s remarks were met with widespread support from the audience, which included top executives, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The message aligns with his administration’s broader economic agenda, which prioritizes innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
All government policies, according to the President, are solely for the benefit of the Indonesian nation and its people. "There are no other interests. There are no other orientations. It is all for the benefit of the nation, the country, and the people. We will not hesitate, we will implement it with all the strength and power we have," promised Prabowo.
The President expressed his happiness at meeting the business actors who are part of Kadin Indonesia. "I am very happy and I congratulate the Kadin figures. You all play an important role in driving the Indonesian economy," said Prabowo.
"My friends, I want to give a bigger role to the private sector. Some say I am stopping infrastructure projects. Not true! I am not stopping them," asserted the President.
Prabowo explained that they are merely making changes. Various infrastructure projects that have been mostly handled by state-owned enterprises (BUMN) over the past ten years will be handed over to the private sector for future development. "The private sector is more efficient, more innovative, more experienced. The construction of toll roads, ports, airports, I leave to the private sector. Go ahead and move forward," the President elaborated.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Prabowo stated that the government will concentrate on areas critical to public welfare and those beyond the private sector’s current capacity. However, he stressed that projects suited to private sector management should be handed over to foster efficiency and innovation.
“We plan for food self-sufficiency in four years. People might be surprised. Long before four years, we will already be food self-sufficient,” he declared.
Prabowo also highlighted Indonesia’s potential in renewable energy, noting that few countries possess comparable natural resources. “Indonesia has substantial and intact renewable energy,” he said, promising to attract significant investments in green energy this year.
“This [Red and White Cabinet] is only three months old. Wait, be patient. Maybe in the fifth or sixth month, we will feel it. We don’t want business as usual. There is no business as usual. We want to run now. We will move quickly, as fast as possible,” he added.
Acknowledging gaps in human capital, the President emphasized the need for skilled and ethical leadership. “We must prepare human resources, we must prepare the crew. We must prepare young managers—young people who are smart but have clean hearts,” Prabowo said.
“We want young people who are smart but have red and white hearts,” he added, referencing the Indonesian flag as a symbol of patriotism.
President Prabowo Subianto has underscored the intensifying global competition among economic blocs and major powers, urging caution and strategic thinking as Indonesia positions itself on the global stage.
Despite these global challenges, Prabowo expressed confidence in Indonesia’s economic potential. Reflecting on his first three months in office, he shared a positive outlook for the nation’s growth trajectory.
“The more I study the state of the Indonesian economy, the more confident I feel,” he said. “I feel optimistic, I believe, I am convinced, we will achieve, maybe even exceed, an 8% economic growth rate.”
Chairman of Kadin Indonesia Anindya Bakrie (third from right) raises his hand alongside Chairman of the Honorary Council of Kadin Indonesia Rosan P. Roeslani and Chairman of the Advisory Council of Kadin Indonesia Arsjad Rasjid at the "National Consolidation Meeting of Kadin Indonesia" at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday (16/1/2025). Photo: Investortrust/Primus Dorimulu.
Prabowo acknowledged that many might be skeptical about the 8% economic growth target. "One of the weaknesses of the Indonesian elite is a lack of confidence, enjoying seeing friends struggle, and struggling to see friends happy. This is our nature. Maybe we were colonized for too long, so we feel inferior. We lack courage," Prabowo remarked.
President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to lead an efficient and disciplined government, emphasizing the importance of logical governance and sound calculations in achieving Indonesia's ambitious economic goals.
“I am positive we will make big surprises in the coming weeks and months,” Prabowo said during his remarks on Thursday. “What happens is in line with what I said, in line with the numbers, because my friends, I believe in natural sciences, I believe in mathematics and physics.” He credited his ministers for their support in advancing his agenda.
Prabowo underscored the integrity of scientific data, noting its resistance to manipulation. “The numbers are scientific and hard to lie about. As long as we make reasonable calculations, 2+2 equals four,” he explained.
However, he cautioned against the pitfalls of political dysfunction. “Only sometimes in Indonesian politics, 2+2 can equal 4.5, or 5, or even 3. When we abandon common sense and calculations based on logic, what happens is distortion and dysfunction.”
The President stressed that inefficiency has long hindered Indonesia’s economic potential. “Indonesia, a very wealthy nation, is often not managed well, with common sense, or efficiently,” he said.
Drawing a parallel to the private sector, Prabowo warned, “Entrepreneurs, you should understand this better. An inefficient company, a company that operates carelessly, cannot survive. If expenses exceed income, it leads to bankruptcy. No organization can survive if expenses are greater than income.”
To address these challenges, Prabowo vowed to lead an efficient government focused on disciplined resource management.
Acknowledging skepticism over his administration’s 8% economic growth target, Prabowo pointed to entrenched inefficiencies and wastefulness as obstacles that he is determined to overcome. “Every organization, every institution, especially those accustomed to inefficient practices for years, will try to deceive their leaders,” he said.
“My friends, I have said many times, I have been Indonesian for a long time. I understand all the tricks,” Prabowo continued. “Now I feel increasingly confident, increasingly convinced, that Indonesia can rise efficiently. We can rise orderly and with discipline. We can manage our wealth to the fullest for the benefit of the Indonesian nation and people.”
Prabowo concluded his remarks by congratulating the leaders of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and encouraging them to take bold steps in advancing the nation’s economy. “Good luck. The people are waiting for your leadership,” he said.