By: Gavin Asadit )*
The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate its seriousness in encouraging national economic growth through the establishment of the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency, or known as Danantara. The institution was officially launched on February 24, 2025 as a state investment entity that carries a strategic mission to accelerate economic development, manage state assets professionally, and create long-term added value for the community.
President Prabowo stated that the establishment of this institution is a form of the government’s seriousness in creating sustainable prosperity for the people. These strategic projects must create significant added value for our nation. Must create real benefits, quality jobs, and long-term prosperity for the people of Indonesia.
Danantara carries a grand vision as a modern sovereign wealth fund that is not only profit-oriented, but also plays an active role in national economic development. The government is targeting Indonesia’s economic growth to reach 8 percent by 2029, and Danantara is expected to be one of the main drivers of achieving this target. By managing the country’s strategic assets, this institution is projected to have managed funds that can reach more than 900 billion US dollars, equivalent to around Rp14,715 trillion.
Danantara adopts modern governance principles based on international best practices such as Temasek Holdings. Danantara upholds the principles of professional, transparent, and accountable governance. President Prabowo also emphasized that Danantara belongs to the people and must be run with anti-corruption principles, Danantara will be managed professionally, based on anti-corruption principles. Danantara can be audited at any time by anyone, because it is owned by the Indonesian people.
To ensure the credibility of this institution, the government appointed Rosan Roeslani as CEO of Danantara. Rosan is a figure who has extensive experience in the investment sector, and previously served as Minister of Investment and Downstream. Meanwhile, the position of Head of Investment Division is filled by Pandu Sjahrir, Managing Partner at Indies Capital. The combination of these two figures is considered to provide strength in implementing a complex long-term investment strategy.
Danantara’s organizational structure is also strengthened by an Advisory Board consisting of national and international figures with high reputations. Among the names sitting on the board are former Indonesian Presidents Joko Widodo and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, international economist Jeffrey Sachs, Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, and other influential international figures. The formation of this board aims to ensure that Danantara’s policy direction is in line with sustainable and inclusive development.
In carrying out its mandate, Danantara will focus on strategic sectors that have high multiplier effect potential. Several sectors that are priority investments are new and renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, downstreaming of natural resources such as nickel and copper, and food security. The government believes that investment in these sectors will encourage job creation, strengthen the competitiveness of the national industry, and increase high value-added exports.
Permata Bank Chief Economist Josua Pardede said that the establishment of Danantara is an important step to strengthen Indonesia’s investment structure. With a portfolio diversification strategy and investment cooperation with global partners, Danantara has great potential to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and expand the national production base. He also added that if managed effectively, Danantara could become the main vehicle in creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Although Indonesia’s economic growth in the first quarter of 2025 is still below expectations, this is an opportunity for Danantara to become the main lever in accelerating the national economy. This condition shows the need for additional encouragement from the investment side. Deputy Minister of Finance Anggito Abimanyu said that one of Danantara’s key roles is to accelerate the realization of national strategic projects. He hopes that Danantara can become the main lever for investment that has so far been stagnant in several sectors.
Danantara’s investment strategy is also measurable and selective. The government stipulates that every investment made must go through a thorough study and consider social and environmental impacts. The financing scheme is also flexible, ranging from direct investment, joint ventures with global strategic partners, to acquisitions of companies that have strong prospects domestically. With investment leverage of up to 10 times the dividends of BUMN, Danantara is considered to have great financial strength to drive national economic transformation.
On the other hand, supervision of the implementation of Danantara will be carried out by various state institutions, including the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), to ensure accountability in the management of public funds. The government also opens up space for public participation through open audits and periodic performance reporting that can be accessed by the wider community.
With the launch of Danantara, Indonesia enters a new chapter in the management of state investment. Great hopes are pinned on this institution to become a major driver of economic growth, job creation, and improving public welfare. If managed well, Danantara will not only strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global economic arena, but also become a symbol of the transformation of state asset governance towards an era of modernization and transparency.
)* The author is an observer of social and community issues
