By: Cahyo Widjaya
The transition of leadership from President Joko Widodo to elected President Prabowo Subianto brings attention to the continuity of policies in the sectors of food security and public health.
Prabowo Subianto, as a high-ranking military officer in Indonesia elected in the 2024 general election, has a vision to continue the development initiated by President Jokowi, particularly in areas that directly impact the welfare of the people. Food security and health are top priorities, considering that both are essential pillars in maintaining the social and economic stability of the nation.
President Jokowi himself has built a strong foundation in those sectors during his term in office. The Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) plays a central role in overseeing the effectiveness of development in various sectors, including food and health.
According to President Jokowi, BPKP plays a significant role in ensuring that the development being carried out can provide maximum benefits for the people. BPKP has been at the forefront of maintaining accountability and sustainability of various development projects, allowing for a smooth transition to new leadership without significant obstacles.
The head of BPKP, Muhammad Yusuf Ateh, emphasized that the oversight of finances and development during Jokowi’s administration has yielded significant achievements. From 2020 to the first quarter of 2024, the BPKP successfully saved state finances amounting to IDR 78.68 trillion and reduced state spending by IDR 192.93 trillion.
The savings also impact strategic sectors, including health and food security. Through this oversight, the government can ensure that the development undertaken truly affects the reduction of poverty levels, improvement of health, and strengthening of food security in various regions.
Prabowo Subianto, as the new leader, has a vision to continue various programs established by President Jokowi, with an emphasis on improving national food security.
The Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, stated that the elected President Prabowo has a strong commitment to Indonesia’s agricultural sector. The man born in 1951 plans to strengthen that sector as one of the main pillars of the national economy.
Andi Amran also emphasized that the continuity of development between the seventh President of Indonesia, Jokowi, and the eighth President, Prabowo, will ensure food security stability in facing global challenges such as climate change and food crises.
Prabowo, who is also the Chairman of the DPP Gerindra Party, views agriculture as a strategic sector capable of maintaining Indonesia’s food independence. Therefore, he is determined to continue the policies designed by President Jokowi, focusing on the modernization of agriculture and more effective distribution.
The elected president in the 2024 election, Prabowo, understands that food security is not just about production, but also related to equitable access and distribution throughout the entire country. In this context, the development of infrastructure that supports the food sector becomes a priority to minimize dependence on food imports.
In addition to food security, public health is also a major concern during this leadership transition. The strengthening of the health system that has been initiated by President Jokowi will be continued by the elected President Prabowo Subianto with some adjustments to face new challenges.
Public health, especially in terms of disease prevention and management, is closely linked to food security. When communities have access to nutritious food and quality healthcare services, the social and economic resilience of the country is better maintained.
According to Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran, elected President Prabowo Subianto will also continue various health programs initiated by President Jokowi, such as improving access to healthcare services in remote areas and strengthening primary healthcare services.
The program aligns with the vision of the elected President Prabowo to create a healthier and more productive society. This step is expected to enhance Indonesia’s human development index, which will ultimately strengthen the nation’s competitiveness on the global stage.
The head of BPKP, Muhammad Yusuf Ateh, also explained that in addition to maintaining the accountability of state finances, BPKP is also overseeing the effectiveness of development in the health sector. One of its main focuses is to ensure that the budget allocation for the health sector is truly used optimally and targeted appropriately.
The supervision will continue during the transition to Prabowo’s administration, to ensure the continuity of healthcare services that have been initiated by President Jokowi. The BPKP will play a crucial role in overseeing various hospital construction projects, healthcare facilities, and other public health programs.
The transition of leadership from the seventh President of Indonesia, Jokowi, to the eighth President, Prabowo Subianto, marks a positive continuity in maintaining food security and public health.
With the strong commitment from both leaders, Indonesia is assured of staying on the right track to achieve food independence and improve the quality of its people’s health.
The elected president Prabowo Subianto, with his background as a firm and visionary military officer, will continue the programs established by President Jokowi, while bringing new innovations to strengthen national resilience.
Food security and health are not just short-term priorities, but rather the foundation for a more sustainable national development. The Prabowo-Gibran administration has a vision to lead Indonesia towards a more independent and healthy future, through policy continuity and strict oversight of its implementation. This commitment shows that the transition of leadership is not merely a change of figures, but a concrete step to maintain the stability and progress of the nation.
*) Researchers in People’s Economy – Institute for Prosperous Economics