Indonesia's Shadow Cabinet Criticizes Prabowo's Budget, Economic Policies

Indonesia's Shadow Cabinet has voiced strong criticism regarding the economic policies and budget management under President Prabowo Subianto's administration. Bhima Yudhistira, the Shadow Cabinet's Minister of Finance and Budget Governance, asserted that the state budget is being utilized carelessly, with a significant lack of accountability.

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Starting from populist programs without research and pilot projects such as free nutritious meals and the red and white village cooperatives.

Yudhistira specifically targeted populist initiatives like the free nutritious meal program and the red and white village cooperatives, arguing they were launched without adequate research or pilot projects. He stressed that these programs, funded by public taxes and national debt, require thorough feasibility assessments by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Yudhistira urged the finance minister to be more assertive and not merely a "yes man" if programs are not viable.

The Shadow Cabinet also raised concerns that certain economic policies, such as the free nutritious meal project, could negatively impact local economies by replacing existing canteens and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) around schools. Similarly, the red and white village cooperative program is seen as competing with existing stores and distributors of subsidized goods, potentially stifling economic growth rather than expanding it.

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If it's not feasible, don't become a 'yes man'.

Yudhistira further criticized the government's tax policies, suggesting a lack of creativity in managing public funds. He argued that the focus should be on pursuing large taxpayers through progressive taxation, such as windfall profit and wealth taxes, rather than burdening the lower class and SMEs with adjustments to income tax. The current approach, he warned, risks economic contraction for lower-income communities and a continued low tax ratio.

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The economic pie doesn't grow, instead there is state capture by the elites who make policies contrary to Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.