Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – Exactly two months into his term as head of state as of December 20, 2024, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has received attention in recent weeks with a series of controversial statements. The General Chair of the Gerindra Party has drawn criticism because his statements are considered not pro-populist or not on the side of the people.
Starting from ensuring a 12 percent increase in value added tax or VAT as of January 2025, proposing that regional heads be elected through the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) again like the pre-Reformation era, to forgiving corruptors who repent or returning the proceeds of corruption.
Here are a series of controversial statements by President Prabowo that are not pro-populist in recent weeks:
1. Ensure a 12% VAT increase as of January 2025
President Prabowo ensured that the VAT increase will be implemented according to the law, namely starting in January 2025. Prabowo conveyed this when giving a statement at the Presidential Palace complex on Friday afternoon, December 6, 2024. However, he emphasized that the 12 percent VAT will apply with exceptions.
"Selective only for luxury goods, for the rest of the people we continue to protect, since the end of 2023 the government has not collected what should be collected. To defend, to help the common people, yes," he said. "So even if it goes up, it's only for luxury goods."
2. Proposal for regional heads to be elected through the DPRD again
President Prabowo also touched on the possibility of changing the regional head election system to be elected by the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD). He expressed this in a speech during the Golkar Party's 60th anniversary celebration in Sentul, Bogor, Thursday night, December 12, 2024. He said that with a direct election system, regional elections would cost a lot of money.
"This system is likely too expensive. Right? From the faces of the winners, I see fatigue, let alone the losers," said Prabowo
Prabowo said that if regional elections were chosen by the DPRD, the country could save trillions of rupiah. The budget, he said, could be diverted to other more pressing interests. He also touched on the issue of efficiency if regional heads were elected by the DPRD. Because, in addition to not wasting the budget, it also facilitates the leadership transition.
"I see our neighboring countries are efficient like Malaysia. Even India. They elect DPRD members once, that's it, the DPRD is the one who elects the governor, the mayor," said Prabowo.
3. Will pardon corruptors who repent
Most recently, Prabowo said he would give corruptors the opportunity to repent and return their stolen goods. He said this when delivering a speech in front of Indonesian students at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, December 18, 2024 local time.
"This Sunday I am giving you the opportunity to repent. Hey corruptors or those who have stolen, if you return what you stole, I will forgive you," said Prabowo as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube broadcast on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
The former Minister of Defense said he would forgive corruptors if they returned the stolen public money. Prabowo will open up space for corruptors to return the stolen goods without the public knowing.
"Later we will give the opportunity to return the corruption so that it is not found out," Prabowo said.
– Hendrik Yaputra, Daniel A. Fajri and Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article.