By: Komarudin Nahrawi (*
This year’s Youth Pledge commemoration brings profound reflection to the Indonesian nation. The spirit of unity, hard work, and optimism embodied in the historic pledge of October 28, 1928, now finds relevance in the national economic context. The Indonesian government, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is rolling out various economic stimulus packages to strengthen public purchasing power, maintain stability, and foster optimism amidst global dynamics.
This policy is not merely a fiscal instrument, but a concrete manifestation of the spirit of togetherness to restore the economy and ensure the people’s well-being. Just as the spirit of the Youth Pledge emphasized unity in diversity, the government’s efforts to distribute economic stimulus also seek to embrace all levels of society so they can directly benefit from national economic growth.
The Indonesian economy is currently showing a positive trend. Juli Budi Winantya, Head of the Economic and Monetary Policy Department of Bank Indonesia, believes that the various stimulus measures launched by the government are expected to significantly impact economic growth by the end of the second semester of 2025. He estimates that the two main drivers of the national economy will be exports and government spending. This optimism stems from consistent government policy support and Bank Indonesia’s strategic measures to maintain monetary stability. From the government’s perspective, economic stimulus is focused on boosting public purchasing power and strengthening domestic consumption as the foundation for sustainable growth.
Similarly, Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara explained that the government has prepared several pro-people fiscal policy strategies to support the achievement of the economic growth target by the end of 2025. These strategies, which are part of the one-year reflection on the Prabowo-Gibran administration, emphasize budget efficiency, accelerated spending, and the provision of liquidity stimulus. The government strives to ensure that every rupiah spent has an optimal economic impact for the wider community.
One of the government’s key policies is the placement of Rp 200 trillion in funds previously held at Bank Indonesia in the banking sector. According to Suahasil, this measure is part of state cash management to ensure sufficient liquidity in the national banking system. With ample liquidity, the banking sector is expected to be able to disburse loans at lower interest rates. This is expected to boost investment, encourage more feasible economic activity, and expand employment opportunities. This policy also demonstrates how the government is using fiscal instruments adaptively to stimulate the real sector amidst uncertain global conditions.
Support for the government’s measures has also come from the legislative branch. Neng Eem Marhamah Zulfa, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, assessed that the government’s economic stimulus package is a strategic and targeted policy in addressing community needs. She assessed that the program has clarity in terms of job targets, number of beneficiaries, and operational regulations. Therefore, this policy not only addresses macroeconomic aspects but also has a tangible impact on small communities and micro-businesses.
Neng Eem also assessed that the government has succeeded in implementing stimulus policies that prioritize sustainability and social justice. Social assistance programs, support for MSMEs, and accelerated public spending are concrete steps in maintaining public purchasing power amidst global economic pressures. She emphasized that with clear policy design, transparent implementation, and oversight by the House of Representatives (DPR), this economic stimulus can provide optimal and measurable benefits to the national economy.
The synergy between the government, Bank Indonesia, and the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) reflects a collaborative spirit aligned with the values of the Youth Pledge: one determination, one spirit, and one goal for national progress. In the economic context, this spirit is realized through cross-institutional cooperation to maintain stability, strengthen productivity, and ensure equitable distribution of prosperity.
The economic stimulus package currently being rolled out by the government is not merely a technocratic policy, but also a symbol of national unity. Amidst diverse differences and challenges, all elements of the nation are contributing to Indonesia’s economic recovery within their respective capacities. The government is preparing inclusive policies, the business sector is increasing investment, and the public is maintaining productivity and domestic consumption. All these steps combine to create a new spirit in realizing a highly competitive and economically sovereign Indonesia.
As the Youth Pledge commemoration approaches, the government’s economic stimulus package demonstrates that the spirit of nationalism remains alive in public policies. The government continues to strive to ensure that every policy delivers tangible benefits to the people, both in the short term by strengthening purchasing power and in the long term by creating jobs and increasing investment.
The public is expected to continue to trust and support the government’s efforts to maintain economic stability and strengthen the foundations of national prosperity. With a spirit of unity, optimism, and mutual cooperation, the ideals of the Youth Pledge will live on in every policy that favors the people. Through collaboration between all elements of the nation, Indonesia can move more firmly toward a more equitable, prosperous, and socially just economic future for all its people.
(* The author is an observer of macroeconomics and public policy
