Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia has successfully recovered 1.7 trillion IDR (102.5 million USD) in embezzled state funds from corruption suspects during the first year of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
According to a research report on the first year of the Prabowo administration by NEXT Indonesia Research and Publications on October 18, the total value was obtained from confiscation of embezzled funds, auction of confiscated objects, and recovery of forest areas.
NEXT Indonesia stated that in the same period, 43 corruption cases have been probed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General's Office, helping to prevent potential state budget loss of up to 320,400 billion IDR (19.3 billion USD).
The agency said that corruption in crude oil management at state-owned company Pertamina during the 2018–2023 period has been among the largest corruption cases probed by the government, as it incurred an estimated 285 trillion IDR (17.1 billion USD) in potential losses.
President Prabowo told Forbes Media Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes said that corruption is, in his opinion, a disease once it reaches stage four, like cancer. It is very difficult, but in his reading of history, corruption will destroy countries, nations, and regimes.
He is determined to try to cut down corruption, and sometimes, the only way is to set an example.
Meanwhile, the NEXT Indonesia report stated that President Prabowo's "quick win" programs have been designed to benefit the people in a short time. Such programmes include Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) at schools, free health checks, and the People's School.
The research agency also highlighted economic policies enacted by the president in his first year in office, which include the Red and White Cooperatives, the Danantara Indonesia sovereign wealth fund, and bad debt forgiveness for small businesses./.
