"After studying it in depth, I am convinced that our Constitution —especially what I call the ‘safeguard articles,’ namely Article 33 sections 1 to 4 — serves as the economic defense shield of our nation," Prabowo said while delivering a State Address at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta on Friday.
He stated that Article 33 section 1 affirms that the economy shall be structured as a collective endeavor based on the principle of kinship, not conglomeration. Sectors of production that are vital to the state and affect the livelihood of many people must be controlled by the state, he added.
President Prabowo emphasized that commodities such as rice and rice milling are sectors that affect the livelihood of the people. However, he noted that some business actors exploit their capital to dominate and manipulate people's lives.
"To be fair, not all of them, but there are some entrepreneurs who use their strength, their capital power, to dominate and manipulate the lives of the people, and this is something we cannot accept," he said.
Section 3 of Article 33 mandates that land, waters, and natural resources shall be controlled by the state and used for the benefit and prosperity of the people.
Meanwhile, section 4 stipulates that the national economy shall be organized based on economic democracy with the principles of togetherness and fair efficiency.
"Efficiency is mandated by the Constitution, yet some oppose it. [Our policies consider] environmental insight, independence, and maintaining balance in national economic progress and unity," Prabowo said.
Indonesia holds the MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) every August 15, two days before Independence Day.
The MPR Annual Session was attended by more than 600 members of parliament, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Cabinet ministers, public figures, foreign diplomats, and political party leaders.
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Translator: Fathur, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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