President Prabowo’s Speech Becomes a Moral Compass for Eradicating Corruption, the Foundation for a Golden Indonesia 2045
By: Fandi Ahmad)*
President Prabowo Subianto’s state address at the MPR Annual Session on August 15, 2025, was seen as a firm statement that Indonesia must escape the trap of corruption and greedy economic practices. Hariqo Wibawa Satria, Chief Expert at the Presidential Communications Office, assessed the message as a stern warning to anyone who harms the interests of the people.
In his view, the President likened the nation to a human body that will die if blood continues to flow, and corruptors and adherents of economic greed are the ones causing that blood flow. This message, according to Hariqo, emphasizes that no one should feel above the law.
He explained that the President’s commitment to eradicating corruption was not mere rhetoric. Throughout the ten months of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, dozens of corruption cases have been investigated, even involving prominent figures previously considered untouchable. This, he said, proves that the President will not defend a handful of individuals who harm millions of people.
These decisive measures were also accompanied by policies to strengthen the integrity of the judiciary, including a 280 percent increase in judges’ salaries. Hariqo believes this measure strengthens the independence of judges to prevent them from being easily interfered with, while also ensuring impartial law enforcement.
He also noted that since the reform era, corruption has undermined the foundations of national development. The impact is felt directly by the people, from delayed school renovations and disrupted public services to cases of malnutrition in children. Therefore, the President is considered consistent in combating corruption while emphasizing the importance of budget efficiency, as mandated by Article 33 Paragraph 4 of the 1945 Constitution. He emphasized that every rupiah of the state budget must be used to the maximum benefit of the people.
Budisatrio Djiwandono, Chairman of the Gerindra Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), viewed the President’s speech as a confirmation of the direction of national development. He assessed that after 299 days in office, the President was able to clearly outline program achievements and future plans. He described the free nutritious meal program as a long-term government investment to improve the quality of human resources.
The Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Sultan Bachtiar Najamuddin, also expressed his appreciation, saying the speech reflected the vision of a world-class leader. He noted that the President consistently eradicates illegal mining, including those involving high-ranking officials, to ensure that natural resource management is carried out according to regulations.
With its firm commitment to the rule of law and economic integrity, President Prabowo Subianto’s state address is worthy of note as a significant moment in modern Indonesian history. His message was clear: there is no room for corruption and economic greed if this nation is to move toward a just and prosperous future.
Eddy Soeparno, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) from the PAN faction, assessed that the government’s achievements far exceeded targets and expectations of many. He stated that the success of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program deserves special attention.
In seven months, the program has reached as many as 20 million recipients, including schoolchildren, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. Compared to Brazil—which took 11 years to reach 40 million children—this clearly demonstrates the extraordinary scale and speed of MBG implementation in Indonesia.
Eddy also emphasized that MBG is not just about nutrition, but also a driver of the local economy. With the creation of 290,000 new jobs in community kitchens and increased demand for agricultural, fishing, and livestock products, the economic cycle in villages has received a significant boost.
The principle of “No one is left behind” promoted by the government continues to be the foundation, where budget efficiency is directed directly to implementing various pro-people programs such as MBG, Red and White Cooperative, People’s School, and free health services.
This approach reinforces the belief that true independence is measured not only by political aspects, but also by a nation’s ability to independently meet its people’s basic needs. Food independence, access to education and healthcare, and strengthening the local economy are the foundations being built by the Prabowo-Gibran administration.
The state address reflected optimism and a strong determination to advance the nation. For the public, the achievements presented were not mere promises, but rather concrete results already visible on the ground. With programs that put the people at the center of policy, the government’s direction was seen as consistent in promoting equality and social justice.
This momentum demonstrates that the government’s strategy is not merely reactive to challenges, but proactively builds a foundation for the future. With successes in the areas of food, cooperatives, and poverty alleviation, the ambitious vision of a Golden Indonesia is increasingly solidly grounded.
The support of all elements of the nation will be key to sustaining these achievements, so that the spirit of independence celebrated every August 17th is truly realized in the daily lives of the Indonesian people. (*)
)* The author is a contributor to the Lingkar Khatulistiwa Institute
