By: Sadam Alghifari )*
The government, through the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara), has demonstrated a real commitment to strengthening the people’s economy. While operating within the scope of national strategic investments, Danantara plays a crucial role in providing direct benefits to the community, particularly in supporting the MSME sector, providing public housing, and improving the village economy. The institution’s presence deserves appreciation as concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to the well-being of the less fortunate.
President Prabowo Subianto stated that the unemployment rate is currently at its lowest point since the 1998 crisis. He emphasized the role of Danantara and the Merah Putih cooperative as drivers of equitable and sustainable economic growth. The President explained that 80,000 Merah Putih village or sub-district cooperatives have been established, serving as distribution centers for vital commodities such as rice, cooking oil, LPG, and subsidized fertilizer, while also creating millions of new jobs for the community.
Minister of Housing and Settlements, Maruarar Sirait, emphasized that Danantara’s role in housing financing is a symbol of national economic independence. He stated that this year his ministry did not take any foreign loans, a strategic step that reflects the nation’s ability to build independently. According to Maruarar, Danantara’s support for the 3 Million Homes Program through People’s Business Credit (KUR) financing worth Rp130 trillion will expand housing access for low-income communities while also encouraging growth in the construction sector, building materials industry, and workforce absorption.
PT Brantas Abipraya Corporate Secretary, Dian Sovana, stated that Danantara plays a key role as a catalyst in realizing the future of the younger generation towards Golden Indonesia 2045. He added that Danantara’s synergy with state-owned enterprises will strengthen sustainable investment in infrastructure and green energy, as well as create job opportunities and strategic international collaborations. Dian believes Danantara’s presence will strengthen the national development ecosystem while positively impacting human resource development across all regions.
Edger Josua Silalahi, an activist from the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI), expressed his appreciation for Danantara’s commitment to the people’s economy. He stated that the institution provides broader access to capital for MSMEs and people’s cooperatives, enabling them to thrive and compete in the digital economy. Edger also emphasized that economic resilience is integral to national resilience, and Danantara contributes to strengthening economic sovereignty through strategic investments in the energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors.
Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani emphasized that Danantara’s governance is based on the principles of good governance and prudence. He emphasized the importance of managing state investments with discipline, integrity, and freedom from corruption. According to Rosan, these principles are the foundation for Danantara to promote inclusive growth, create quality jobs, and deliver tangible benefits to communities across various sectors.
The launch of Danantara marks a significant milestone in the national economic strategy. This institution manages state-owned enterprise assets with an initial value of US$20 billion, or approximately Rp320 trillion. Its management structure includes national figures as supervisory and advisory boards, and is run by experienced professionals. The government is utilizing Danantara to accelerate industrial downstreaming, build infrastructure, and strengthen public housing without relying on foreign loans.
Danantara’s support for the public housing sector is a clear demonstration of its people-centered economic practices. A transparent, efficient, and targeted financing scheme ensures that low-income communities directly benefit from the program. The participation of the construction sector, building materials suppliers, and local labor also creates a multiplier effect that strengthens the regional economy.
To empower the village economy, the government has directed Danantara to collaborate with the Merah Putih cooperative. This cooperative serves as a distribution center for subsidized staple foods, a means of empowering the local economy, and a job creator. This strategy aligns with the President’s vision of building the economy from the grassroots level to large-scale strategic investment.
Danantara’s existence demonstrates that the people’s economy agenda is not merely political rhetoric. Concrete results are evident in the decline in unemployment and increased access to public housing. Furthermore, the opening of business opportunities for MSMEs demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the people’s economic sector.
The government ensures that all programs implemented are based on the principles of transparency and high accountability. This step ensures that the benefits of policies are directly felt by the public. This strengthens public trust in the management of state investments.
Going forward, global challenges such as fluctuating commodity prices, climate change, and geopolitical uncertainty will continue to test the resilience of the national economy. However, Danantara’s presence, which combines the strength of state investment with the interests of the people, is a crucial asset in navigating these challenges. This provides Indonesia with a solid instrument for maintaining economic stability and growth.
Danantara, as a modern sovereign wealth fund, symbolizes the transition to an inclusive, sovereign, and people-centered economy. Broad support from ministry officials, state-owned enterprise (SOE) players, and youth activists reflects the consensus that a people-centered economy is a concrete strategy implemented with determination and confidence. The government has proven that economic independence can go hand in hand with improving people’s welfare, laying a solid foundation for the realization of Indonesia Emas 2045. By continuing to prioritize good governance, transparency, and community empowerment, the spirit of a people-centered economy will take root, become institutionalized, and lead Indonesia forward together.
)* The author is an economic observer
