By: Ananda Prameswari )*
The government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka prioritizes innovative steps in encouraging national economic recovery through a debt cancellation policy for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
This policy aims to ease the burden of around 67 thousand MSME actors spread throughout Indonesia. The total value of debt planned to be written off reaches IDR 2.5 trillion.
According to the Minister of SMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, the program is part of a larger target, namely to write off the debts of 1 million SMEs with a total value of IDR 14 trillion.
The verification process is currently underway to ensure that the program is on target. Determining the criteria for beneficiaries is a top priority in order to reach business actors who really need it. With this approach, the government seeks to avoid potential misuse and ensure that the policy has a direct impact on the economic recovery of MSME actors.
This program is not only a strategic step, but also a strong signal that the Prabowo-Gibran government is serious about supporting the sustainability of the MSME sector. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, this sector has become one of the backbones of the national economy that requires special attention. The policy is expected to provide new breathing space for MSME players to grow again and contribute to the national economy.
Ilham Permana, a member of Commission VII of the DPR from the Golkar Party faction, assessed that the policy of writing off MSME debt is an important strategy in encouraging post-pandemic economic recovery.
This step not only helps business actors survive, but also provides an opportunity for them to innovate and expand their business reach. Ilham also emphasized the importance of careful management, especially in the verification process, so that the program does not have a negative impact due to implementation errors.
Furthermore, the Chairman of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, said that strict supervision is a key element in the success of the policy. The selection of beneficiaries must be carried out objectively to ensure that assistance is only given to MSMEs that really need it.
By being free from debt burden, business actors are expected to be able to allocate their resources to productive things such as purchasing raw materials, expanding their business, or even creating new jobs. This is considered to have a significant positive chain effect on the national economy.
One important aspect of this program is its ability to accelerate the recovery of the MSME sector. With more stable financial support, business actors can focus more on business development, without having to worry about the burden of debt that hinders their productivity. In addition, the policy also has a positive psychological impact on MSME actors, who were previously pressured by financial obligations that were difficult for them to fulfill.
The Prabowo-Gibran government has also shown a strong commitment to ensuring that this program does not stop at the debt relief stage. The sustainability of this program is expected to be accompanied by training, mentoring, and access to relevant resources to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs in domestic and global markets. This strategy reflects the government’s holistic approach to building a more inclusive and sustainable economic foundation.
However, the challenges in implementing this program cannot be ignored. One of the main issues that needs to be addressed is ensuring that MSMEs who are truly deserving of the policy benefit.
An accurate and transparent verification mechanism is key to avoiding deviations that could harm the initial objectives of the program. The government is also expected to involve various parties, including non-governmental organizations and local communities, to monitor the implementation of the program so that it runs according to plan.
On the other hand, the long-term impact of this policy is also worth noting. By eliminating the debt burden, the government provides opportunities for MSMEs to increase their production capacity.
This can ultimately create a significant multiplier effect for the national economy. Increasing the income of small business owners not only helps them individually, but also contributes directly to the country’s economic growth.
This MSME debt write-off policy is clear evidence that the Prabowo-Gibran government understands the urgent needs of the MSME sector in facing various economic challenges.
This step is not just a short-term solution, but also part of the government’s grand vision in realizing a stronger, more inclusive and competitive economy. With good management, the policy has great potential to be a driving force for national economic recovery.
As one of the sectors that is an important pillar of the Indonesian economy, MSMEs need consistent attention and support. The Prabowo-Gibran government has shown its commitment through this innovative policy, which not only provides new hope for small business actors, but also paves the way for more equitable and sustainable economic growth in the future.
)* Media Room Contributor
