Prabowo Says Indonesia Can Eradicate Extreme Poverty with $1.9 Billion

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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Indonesia has the financial capacity to eliminate extreme poverty with a budget allocation of Rp 30 trillion, or approximately $1.9 billion, President Prabowo Subianto says. The statement comes amid the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, as Prabowo highlights the strategic role of zakat, or Islamic alms, in advancing social justice during a national donation ceremony at the presidential palace.

The president made the remarks on Thursday during a zakat handover event hosted by the National Alms Agency, known locally as Baznas, which oversees the collection and distribution of Islamic charitable funds. According to Baznas, Indonesia’s zakat potential stands at Rp 327 trillion, with actual receipts reaching Rp 41 trillion so far this year—more than enough, Prabowo said, to eradicate absolute poverty within a year.

“The potential is still huge—Rp 327 trillion. This year’s receipt is Rp 41 trillion. According to our calculations, we could eliminate extreme poverty with just Rp 30 trillion. Imagine, we could eliminate it this very year,” Prabowo said during the ceremony.

He emphasized that Baznas plays a vital role not only in addressing poverty but also in fostering Indonesia’s longstanding values of mutual cooperation and ensuring fair distribution of national welfare.

“May our zakat this Ramadan perfect our worship and strengthen our piety before God,” he added.

A photo captured earlier in the day shows a stretch of dilapidated homes along the Ciliwung River in Jakarta, underscoring the stark realities of urban poverty that remain prevalent in the capital and across the country.

Prabowo also commended Baznas for extending its humanitarian support to international communities, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Palestine and the broader Middle East.

He urged greater institutional support for Baznas, calling on ministries and government agencies to strengthen its operational capacity so that it can serve a broader segment of the population.

“Authorities should consider ways to channel greater support to Baznas,” he said.

Despite his optimism, Prabowo cautioned that zakat management must be transparent and efficient to ensure funds are distributed to those in greatest need.

“Our government’s work must be transparent and effective—it must reach the people who truly need it,” he concluded.