The Indonesia Paradox (1)

What I mean by the Indonesian Paradox here is the book authored by Prabowo Subianto, titled in full "Paradoks Indonesia: Negara Kaya Raya, Tetapi Masih Banyak Rakyat Hidup Miskin"—Indonesia Paradox: A Rich Nation, Yet So Many of Its People Remain Poor. In this thought-provoking work, Prabowo lays bare the contradiction at the heart of modern Indonesia: a nation blessed with extraordinary natural wealth, yet burdened by economic disparity, systemic inefficiency, and the enduring poverty of its people.

Prabowo Subianto has authored twelve books in total, published in both Indonesian and English, spanning from 1998 to 2022. His writing career began with Komando: Mengabdi Kepada Negara dan Bangsa (1998), and continued with titles such as Kembalikan Indonesia: Haluan Baru Keluar dari Kemelut Bangsa (2004), Membangun Kembali Indonesia Raya: Haluan Baru Menuju Kemakmuran (2009), Surat Untuk Sahabat (2013), Paradoks Indonesia (2017), Indonesia Menang (2018), the two volumes of Kepemimpinan Militer (Books 1 and 2, 2021–2022), Paradoks Indonesia dan Solusinya (2022), and Strategi Transformasi Bangsa (2023). In 2025, a Russian translation titled Ob iskusstve voennogo liderstva (“On the Art of Military Leadership”) was released to coincide with Subianto’s state visit to Russia, serving as a gesture of intellectual and diplomatic exchange.

Paradoks Indonesia, published in 2017, stands out as his most urgent call to action. It is not merely a critique of Indonesia’s economic reality—it is a manifesto for reform, driven by data, sharpened by his military background, and wrapped in a deep concern for national sovereignty. The book reads as a mix of economic diagnosis and patriotic provocation, urging readers to stop ignoring the silent suffering that exists amidst Indonesia’s glittering GDP figures.

By combining personal reflection, national history, and economic statistics, Prabowo sketches a troubling portrait of a country with immense potential shackled by policy failures and foreign dependence. 

Prabowo Subianto begins Paradoks Indonesia: Negara Kaya Raya, Tetapi Masih Banyak Rakyat Hidup Miskin with a compelling backdrop: Indonesia is a land blessed with bountiful natural resources—fertile land, gold, nickel, oil, gas, and abundant sunlight—a country that should, by rights, offer prosperity to all its citizens. Yet, in Chapter One, we witness the stark paradox that despite such wealth, the majority of Indonesians continue to live in poverty and dependency. Prabowo evokes an ironic reality in which the nation’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a small elite, while ordinary people struggle to make a living.

Prabowo introduces this paradox through a series of grim statistics: nearly half of the national wealth is controlled by just one per cent of the population, and vast tracts of land, amounting to tens of millions of hectares, are monopolised by conglomerates at the expense of equitable access. Prabowo describes how economic and political structures have veered from the ideals of Pancasila and the original 1945 Constitution—particularly Article 33, which mandates collective control of the economy by the state and people—into systems that favour oligarchy and global capital.

He sets the scene for the rest of the book by asserting that this national tragedy stems from the failure to manage and steward Indonesia’s own resources, calling it an anomaly that must be corrected. In laying out the background of Chapter One, Prabowo calls upon readers to awaken to the reality and to join in a collective effort to rewrite Indonesia’s destiny—transforming it into a strong, respected nation where all citizens can share in its wealth, rather than a country where the elite flourish and the masses languish

One popular anecdote that effectively illustrates the "Paradoks Indonesia" as described by Prabowo Subianto involves a fisherman in a remote coastal village of eastern Indonesia. The fisherman lives surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, on an island brimming with fish, yet he remains impoverished. Each morning, he sails out into the sea using a wooden boat that has been patched countless times. He hauls in a modest catch—not because the sea is empty, but because he lacks access to proper equipment, ice storage, or fair market prices. Meanwhile, the fish he catches are later exported, sold in high-end supermarkets abroad for hundreds of dollars per kilogram.

Prabowo often evokes this type of scenario to underscore a harsh reality: Indonesians live atop riches, but most do not enjoy the fruits. The fisherman’s dilemma is not due to laziness or a lack of resources, but because of systemic structures that reward middlemen, foreign traders, and elites far from the village. The anecdote lays bare the absurdity of a nation whose wealth benefits everyone—except its own people. In Prabowo’s framing, this is not just an economic imbalance; it is a betrayal of justice, dignity, and the promise of independence.

Indonesia is a land overflowing with riches—its mountains cradle gold, its seas teem with fish, and its soil yields crops in abundance—yet millions of its citizens still struggle to afford a decent meal. This bewildering contrast, where prosperity dances just beyond the reach of the people who live closest to it, is what Prabowo Subianto has famously termed the “Indonesian Paradox.” How can a country so wealthy in resources remain so poor in equity? 

In the second chapter of Paradoks Indonesia, Prabowo delves into the economic elite and how they wield disproportionate influence over the nation’s wealth. He articulates that a tiny fraction of society—comprising major conglomerates, political backers, and entrenched interests—effectively dictate economic policy and profit from national resources. This chapter presents a disturbing map of how economic power translates into political clout, reinforcing inequality and marginalising the majority of citizens.

Prabowo describes how the economic elite not only monopolise key industries—from mining and agriculture to infrastructure and finance—but also manipulate regulatory frameworks and democratic institutions to favour themselves. He argues that this segment of society thrives on maintaining the status quo, where wealth circulates within elite circles, and structural barriers prevent genuine economic inclusion. By pointing out how nominal democracy has become an arena for rent‑seeking and patronage, Prabowo sets the stage for his later critique of political democracy and its capture by outsiders. Through data, anecdotes, and analytical insight, he paints an unsettling portrait of a nation in which economic justice remains elusive.

In Chapter Three, Prabowo Subianto takes a bold stance against what he considers to be the systematic mismanagement of Indonesia’s economy over the past decades. He argues that the country’s poverty and inequality are not simply by-products of global forces, but rather the result of conscious decisions made by domestic policymakers who adopted the wrong economic doctrines.

He criticises the shift away from a nationalist economic philosophy—one rooted in self-sufficiency and people-centred development—towards a model driven by free markets, deregulation, and foreign dependence. This, he claims, has opened Indonesia’s doors too widely to outside interests while weakening its domestic industries and agriculture.

Prabowo underscores the abandonment of the principles laid out in the original Indonesian Constitution and the ideas of its founding fathers, particularly those who envisioned an economic system that would protect the weak and promote prosperity for all. He believes that the economic direction has become skewed, favouring the elite and marginalising the poor.

In this chapter, he calls for a return to a more sovereign, equitable, and nationalist economic approach. The message is clear: Indonesia cannot afford to blindly follow imported models that are not tailored to its realities. Instead, it must chart its own course—one based on its values, its people, and its own potential.

In Chapter Four, Prabowo Subianto zeroes in on what he sees as the root cause of Indonesia’s chronic poverty despite its abundance: the persistent outflow of national wealth. He calls this a structural failure—a deliberate and ongoing betrayal of the nation’s economic independence. Instead of managing its resources for the benefit of the people, Indonesia has allowed its wealth to be extracted, exported, and controlled by foreign interests.

Prabowo argues that this is not accidental. He believes Indonesia’s political and economic elites have subscribed to a misleading and dangerous economic ideology that prioritises globalism over national interests. In doing so, the country has become trapped in what he calls a neo-colonial system, where raw resources are sent abroad cheaply, while finished products are imported at high cost—creating a cycle of dependency that bleeds the economy.

He likens the nation’s condition to a leaking container: no matter how much wealth flows in, it seeps out through gaps created by corruption, weak institutions, and lopsided trade agreements. Prabowo insists that true independence requires economic sovereignty. He demands a return to a nationalist economic model, where the state actively defends the interests of its people, secures control over strategic industries, and invests in long-term development rather than short-term profit.

This chapter is both analytical and fiery. It is a critique of global capitalism, but also a declaration of intent. For Prabowo, Indonesia’s future will remain hostage to others unless it decisively seals the leaks and takes charge of its destiny.

In chapter five, the final chapter, Prabowo shifts from analysis to inspiration. Titled “Answering the Challenge of History”, he appeals to the conscience of the Indonesian people—particularly its leaders, intellectuals, youth, and patriots—to rise beyond complacency. He declares that Indonesia is now standing at a critical crossroads. The nation must choose: will it remain a rich land with a poor people, or will it rise to realise the vision of justice, independence, and prosperity set forth by the founding fathers?

Prabowo frames this as a historic test. He argues that the “Indonesian Paradox” is not a curse, but a reflection of choices made by its elites and systems over decades. However, he believes the time has come to stop blaming the past. The real question is whether this generation has the courage to reclaim the republic and rewrite its future. Indonesia, he stresses, needs an economic and moral revolution: a national awakening that will reorient its policies toward empowering its people and protecting its resources.

The tone of the chapter is urgent, emotional, and full of nationalistic spirit. Prabowo does not simply ask for reform; he calls for a transformation of mindset. He believes that with strong leadership, a renewed sense of purpose, and collective national will, Indonesia can break free from the cycle of dependency and inequality. The chapter ends with a passionate reminder: the world respects strong nations. And strength, in Prabowo’s view, is not built from military power or foreign investment, but from the unity and dignity of its own people.

Prabowo Subianto consistently underscores that Indonesia is an extraordinarily rich nation—not merely in terms of natural resources, but also in human capital, geographic positioning, and cultural heritage. He argues that few countries in the world possess the strategic advantages Indonesia holds: abundant minerals, fertile lands, vast seas, a young population, and a location at the heart of global maritime routes.

In his view, Indonesia’s natural wealth—such as oil, gas, coal, gold, nickel, fertile soil, and marine biodiversity—should place the nation among the most prosperous on earth. He laments that despite these blessings, much of this potential remains untapped or mismanaged. The issue is not a lack of resources, but a failure in leadership, governance, and long-term vision.

He also emphasises that Indonesia’s demographic composition is a huge asset. With a predominantly young and energetic population, the country has the chance to build a productive, innovative economy—if given proper education, employment, and direction.

For Prabowo, Indonesia’s potential is not a fantasy; it is a historical fact. The real challenge lies in transforming this potential into real, sustainable prosperity for all Indonesians. And that, he insists, requires courage, vision, and moral integrity from its leaders.

Prabowo regards cooperatives as essential tools in the struggle for economic justice in Indonesia. He declares that cooperatives are instruments to strengthen the weak, and as such, they must be revitalised and given a central role in national economic development. He does not view cooperatives as outdated or irrelevant; rather, he sees them as powerful institutions that can counterbalance the dominance of large capital and monopolistic practices.

However, he laments that the cooperative movement in Indonesia has lost its vigour and direction. Many cooperatives have become inactive, mismanaged, or have deviated from their true purpose. According to Prabowo, the key challenge lies in the systemic neglect of cooperatives by both policymakers and society. Instead of being nurtured as pillars of people-centred economic progress, cooperatives have been marginalised in favour of liberal economic frameworks and corporate-driven growth models.

He stresses that reviving cooperatives is not only a strategy for economic distribution but also a moral obligation—a way to ensure that the fruits of development reach the grassroots. For Prabowo, empowering cooperatives is central to building a more just, sovereign, and inclusive national economy.

In the final passages of the book, Prabowo Subianto delivers his most urgent message: Indonesia must not waste any more time. The country's natural wealth and strategic assets are not enough to guarantee prosperity—they require stewardship by leaders with integrity, vision, and courage. He emphasises that Indonesia’s fate lies in the hands of its own people. External factors may be challenging, but the true battle is internal: a battle for national character and direction.

Prabowo reaffirms his belief that the Indonesian paradox is not permanent—it is a condition that can be reversed with the right political will and national commitment. He calls for unity across social classes, religious lines, and political factions, all bound by a shared purpose: to return Indonesia to its rightful path of dignity and self-reliance.

He ends the book not with despair, but with a call to rise. He believes that Indonesia is not destined to remain weak and exploited. Rather, it has the foundation to become a strong, sovereign, and respected nation—if only its citizens, especially the youth, are willing to fight for that future with discipline, patriotism, and collective spirit.

Through Paradoks Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto sends a powerful and unwavering message: that Indonesia's greatest tragedy is not its poverty, but the betrayal of its vast potential by decades of mismanagement and moral decay. He challenges every reader—especially leaders and the youth—to break the cycle of complacency and dependency, and to reclaim the dignity, sovereignty, and prosperity that should rightfully belong to the Indonesian people. With a tone that blends patriotic urgency and moral conviction, Prabowo frames this book as both a wake-up call and a blueprint for national revival. As this review draws to a close, the journey continues with a deeper exploration of his follow-up work, Paradoks Indonesia dan Solusinya, where he lays out more concrete strategies to end the paradox and turn national potential into real, equitable progress.

[Part 2]

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