By: Maskawi Syaifuddin
Economic Analyst, Pancasila Madani Institute
The establishment of Danantara Indonesia marks one of the most strategic developments in Indonesia’s current national economic policy landscape. Created under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, Danantara is not merely a state financial institution but a new foundation in the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Through integrated asset and investment management, the government affirms its commitment to steering development toward a more systematic, productive, and people-centered direction.
More than that, Danantara reflects a major paradigm shift in how the state perceives and utilizes its wealth and resources. Previously scattered and separately managed state assets are now consolidated to collectively generate added value. This approach allows for investment decisions with greater leverage, as strategic choices can be made in a centralized and coordinated manner, based on comprehensive analysis. As such, the state is no longer just a protector of assets, but a value generator through data-driven, sector-focused, and long-term development-oriented investments.
With an investment target of USD 5 billion by 2025, Danantara focuses not just on figures but on the quality and direction of investments aligned with the national development roadmap. The eight prioritized sectors—ranging from minerals and renewable energy to digital infrastructure, food, and agriculture—are not arbitrarily chosen but are the result of careful consideration based on economic impact, return potential, and strategic opportunity.
Danantara Managing Director Arief Budiman stresses the importance of an approach that goes beyond capital injection to creating a healthy ecosystem for priority sectors. For instance, in the financial services sector, Danantara will not invest conventionally in banks or financial institutions, but rather support the development of deeper and more inclusive financial markets. This illustrates an innovative and focused strategy, characteristic of a new era in national investment management under government leadership.
Danantara is more than just an investment body—it embodies a new spirit in optimizing the performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). With a dual structure of operational and investment holdings, Danantara oversees around 50 SOEsacross various sectors. Its role extends beyond that of a shareholder to a value manager—ensuring dividends are not merely consumed but reinvested into strategic sectors. Arief Budiman estimates this year’s dividend income to reach Rp120 trillion, which will be the main fuel for reinvestment, demonstrating how asset management is now transformed into an active and productive tool for national development.
Danantara also actively seeks co-investments from international partners, reflecting the government’s understanding that bold development leaps require global collaboration. The capital sought is not limited to finance, but also includes expertise and technology—two areas that have long challenged Indonesia’s industrialization efforts. Through this role, Danantara bridges domestic needs with global potential, in line with the vision of past economists like Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, who emphasized the importance of asset synergy in advancing national interests.
President Prabowo’s directive for Danantara to uphold transparency and accountability strengthens its legitimacy and public trust. Danantara Head Rosan Roeslani has expressed his commitment to full public disclosure and ensuring that all processes comply with regulations and are carried out comprehensively. This shows that the government is not merely result-oriented, but also values clean and professional governance.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) views Danantara as a key entity in Indonesia’s long-term development strategy. With the consolidation of over 800 SOEs, Danantara holds a central position in the national investment landscape. Its participation in international forums such as the International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI) 2025, alongside global investors from Australia, Singapore, and institutions like the World Bank, proves that the government is opening credible, measurable, and impactful collaboration channels to support national infrastructure.
Through this approach, Indonesia is not just drafting grand development plans but also ensuring their execution with robust structures and institutions. Danantara stands as a symbol of the state’s strategic presence at the heart of the economy—not to dominate the market, but to create a healthy, competitive, and people-oriented ecosystem. This model supports both short-term economic growth and builds a resilient long-term foundation to face global dynamics.
With Danantara Indonesia, the government demonstrates that progressive economic policy must be grounded in smart asset management, strategic global cooperation, and a firm commitment to transparent governance. This initiative is not merely about investment—it is a core component of a grand design to bring Indonesia into an era of inclusive and sustainable growth. Supporting Danantara means supporting a new national development direction rooted in efficiency, integrity, and future-oriented leadership.
