Jakarta, March 31, 2025 — For Muslims, Eid al-Fitr marks the culmination of a month-long spiritual journey a celebration of triumph over one’s desires through fasting, prayer, and self-discipline during Ramadan. But true victory is not just abstaining from food and drink. It lies in mastering one’s emotions, avoiding harmful behavior, and deepening one’s devotion through prayer, charity, and remembrance of God.
Just as clear spiritual goals are essential during Ramadan, clarity of purpose is equally vital in the governance of a nation. Without it, we cannot know whether we are on the right path.
On October 23, 2024, President Prabowo Subianto opened his first full cabinet meeting by reaffirming the fundamental objectives of the Republic of Indonesia as mandated by the 1945 Constitution:
To protect all Indonesians and the homeland, to promote general welfare, to advance national education, and to contribute to world peace.
These constitutional principles—an embodiment of Pancasila, Indonesia’s founding philosophy and staatsfundamentalnorm—must serve as the objective benchmark for evaluating any government’s performance, rather than relying on irrelevant or superficial indicators.
Let us take a closer look at how President Prabowo and the Red and White Cabinet are working to fulfill these national goals.
1. Protecting All Indonesians and the Homeland
A key metric for assessing this objective is life expectancy, which reflects overall quality of life and public safety. Life expectancy is shaped by factors such as national security, food availability, access to healthcare, and quality education.
To address these needs, President Prabowo has prioritized the construction of three million livable homes, bolstered food security and self-sufficiency, and launched the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program. The government has also rolled out Free Health Checkups (CKG), upgraded hospitals, and expanded the healthcare workforce—tangible efforts to safeguard the well-being of every Indonesian.
On the international front, President Prabowo has nurtured strong diplomatic ties with neighboring and global partners. These efforts paid off in mid-March, when the government successfully executed a covert operation that rescued 554 Indonesian victims of human trafficking from Myanmar.
2. Promoting General Welfare
The primary indicator of general welfare is Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which calculates the average income of citizens and is used by the World Bank to classify countries as developing or developed.
President Prabowo is working to protect consumers’ purchasing power by driving economic policy that supports national development and reduces foreign dependency. Key initiatives include the establishment of Danantara, a sovereign wealth fund to finance domestic projects, and the Red and White Village Cooperatives Program, aimed at creating millions of new jobs.
In parallel, the government has coordinated with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to monitor traders, ensuring fair pricing and maintaining the stability of essential goods such as cooking oil.
3. Advancing National Education
Progress in this area can be measured through PISA scores (Programme for International Student Assessment), which evaluate student performance in reading, science, and mathematics—an international benchmark of educational quality.
President Prabowo has initiated Indonesia’s most ambitious school renovation plan to date. Through programs such as People’s Schools and Flagship Schools, along with efforts to improve teachers’ welfare, the administration is laying the foundation for better learning environments.
Additional steps include equipping classrooms with smart boards and expanding the MBG Program to schoolchildren. The government has also introduced a Regulation on Child Protection in Digital Spaces, aimed at managing student gadget use and ensuring children’s safety online.
4. Contributing to Global Peace and Order
A government’s commitment to this constitutional mandate can be gauged by its stance in international conflicts and its role in global peacekeeping efforts.
President Prabowo has taken an active part in global forums and summits, consistently advocating for peace and the end of wars in Palestine, Ukraine, and other conflict zones. One of his most notable initiatives is the “Prabowo DMZ Proposal,” a proposed demilitarized zone to facilitate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Indonesia has also delivered humanitarian aid—by air and sea to Palestine, while firmly maintaining a neutral stance, unaffiliated with any military bloc.
Interim Report Card Reflection for President Prabowo: On Track
While progress on these national goals must be assessed periodically and over time, as results may fluctuate, there is one constant: President Prabowo’s unwavering dedication to the constitutional vision laid out by Indonesia’s founding fathers.
“President Prabowo is working tirelessly and with great care to ensure that every policy is grounded in real data and brings direct benefits to the people,” said Noudhy Valdryno, Deputy for Dissemination and Media Information at the Presidential Communications Office.
God willing, this dedication will be reflected in rising life expectancy, improved GNI per capita, stronger PISA scores, and an enhanced global role for Indonesia in promoting peace. When judged by substance, rather than surface appearances, it is clear that President Prabowo’s administration is firmly on the right track—steered by the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila, our guiding star. (RR)
