Prabowo: Economic Programs Will Continue Despite Criticism

President Prabowo Subianto asserted that his administration's economic strengthening programs will proceed without faltering, despite facing criticism. Speaking at the peak of the National Cooperatives Day commemoration in Jakarta on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Prabowo addressed groups he referred to as "smart people" who he claimed often disparage government initiatives aimed at bolstering the national economy.

"If we want to create a program to strengthen our own nation, we are mocked, we are belittled, we are slandered, we are attacked. But it has no influence. I say it has no influence. We continue to move forward," Prabowo declared during his speech.

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If we want to create a program to strengthen our own nation, we are mocked, we are belittled, we are slandered, we are attacked. But it has no influence. I say it has no influence. We continue to move forward.

Prabowo also voiced his distrust of neoliberalism, a global economic system emphasizing free markets. He warned that this capitalist ideology would not bring prosperity to the people. "I do not believe in neolib theories. They say, 'Oh, we think globally, there are no more borders,' right?" he stated, questioning the efficacy of such approaches.

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I do not believe in neolib theories. They say, 'Oh, we think globally, there are no more borders,' right?

He further criticized the neoliberal concept that blames the poor for their own poverty and allows national wealth to be concentrated in the hands of a few. "The neolib understanding is, if you are poor, it's your fault. The neolib understanding says, 'Let only 1 percent be rich. If they are rich, eventually their wealth will trickle down.' I ask you. Do you believe it will trickle down?" Prabowo questioned, implying skepticism about the trickle-down economic theory.

Prabowo claimed that Western leaders are beginning to abandon neoliberal principles. "America, Britain, Western Europe, have abandoned it. Only in our country... I don't know, there are smart people who are either too smart or what, I don't understand," he remarked, suggesting that Indonesia is lagging in rejecting these economic doctrines.

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The neolib understanding is, if you are poor, it's your fault. The neolib understanding says, 'Let only 1 percent be rich. If they are rich, eventually their wealth will trickle down.' I ask you. Do you believe it will trickle down?