Speaking at an event commemorating the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Jakarta on Wednesday night (July 23), the former vice president voiced his support for the government’s efforts to manage and maximize Indonesia’s natural wealth to improve the people’s living standards.
"I am impressed with the opening speech delivered by Professor Ma'ruf Amin. Despite its brevity, his speech was very substantial and straight to the core issue," Prabowo remarked at the same event.
The president appreciated Amin’s speech, noting that it has become rare for politicians, community figures, and economic experts to spotlight Article 33 in recent decades. He remarked that at times, it seemed as if the article no longer existed in the Constitution.
Furthermore, he expressed gratitude that Indonesia still officially upholds the article, recalling there was once an attempt to abolish it through a constitutional amendment.
"Article 33 was among the provisions targeted for annulment. I am grateful that it remains intact, given its substantive value," Prabowo stated.
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He reminded the audience that the 1945 Constitution was drafted by the founding fathers from diverse groups who shared bitter experiences under exploitative colonial rule.
In that context, the head of state underlined that Article 33 was born from a shared determination to protect and utilize Indonesia’s natural resources for the benefit of its people.
"Our founding fathers put the article forward based on their experience, ensuring that our resources would never again be controlled by colonial powers," he affirmed.
One paragraph of the article states, “Earth, water, and the natural resources they contain shall be controlled by the state and used to the greatest benefit of the people.”
Another paragraph carries a similar tone, stating, “Branches of production that are important to the state and affect the livelihood of many people shall be controlled by the state.”
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Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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