PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, underscored the importance of fully implementing Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution as the foundation for social justice and a key to improving public welfare. He made the statement during the 27th anniversary celebration of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Jakarta on Wednesday (23/7).
In his speech, President Prabowo questioned the logic behind the scarcity of essential goods in a country that is, ironically, a top global producer of those commodities.
“Rice, corn, cooking oil—these are basic needs. Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer, so why is cooking oil vanishing from the market?” he asked critically, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com on Thursday (24/7/2025).
He denounced the cooking oil shortage as irrational, blaming it on an exploitative economic system that disregards the public interest.
“I kept wondering—what kind of economic school of thought is this? This is not a free market, not pure capitalism—this is the school of greed,” he said firmly.
With a touch of sarcasm, Prabowo even proposed that universities in Indonesia consider opening a new academic field.
“Perhaps we need to start a new major—greed economics or ‘serkahnomic.’ Because this goes beyond common sense,” he quipped.
Prabowo reiterated that Indonesia’s economic direction must return to the spirit of Article 33 of the Constitution, where sectors vital to the nation and affecting the livelihoods of the people must be controlled by the state for the greater good.
He concluded his remarks by congratulating PKB on its anniversary and expressing hope that the party would continue to be a strategic partner in building the nation.
“Fortunately, PKB is with me. Let’s continue this struggle,” he declared. (P2)
