Prabowo’s Consistency in Fighting for the Well-being of Farmers, Fishermen, Market Traders, and the Indonesian People
Prabowo’s struggle to improve the standard of living for farmers, fishermen, market traders, and the people of Indonesia in general seems to know no bounds.
Prabowo began his humanitarian struggle at a very young age with Soe Hok Gie. They founded the first NGO in Indonesia, the Development Institute. Later, Prabowo became the Chairman of HKTI (Indonesian Farmers Association) and Chairman of APPSI (Association of Market Traders). Prabowo also actively moved in a personal capacity to help people in need.
Prabowo was the Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Unity Association (HKTI) from 2004 to 2015. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Farmers Youth. Through HKTI, Prabowo advocated for a better life for all farmers in Indonesia by developing superior seeds, distributing agricultural machinery, advocating for fair retail prices, and subsidies for Indonesia’s main agricultural commodities.
Like Ir. Sukarno, Prabowo believes that agriculture is the lifeblood of Indonesia. Therefore, he directly checks the needs of farmers and fights for whatever is needed by them.
Prabowo was elected as the Chairman of the Association of Market Traders of All Indonesia (APPSI) from 2008 to 2013. He is now the Chairman of the Advisory Board of APPSI. With APPSI, Prabowo fights to improve the standard of living for market traders throughout Indonesia.
The fate of market traders often depends heavily on the support of local leaders. Therefore, as the Chairman of APPSI, Prabowo actively supports candidates for regional leaders who have proven to support market traders. One of the regional candidates who received APPSI’s support was Ir. Joko Widodo when he ran for Governor of Jakarta in 2012.
As a successful businessman, Prabowo allocates a large portion of his business profits to humanitarian missions. He has provided assistance to thousands of children and residents in need of medical help, both personally and as the leader of various community organizations.
During disasters, Prabowo visits refugees and provides necessary items such as basic necessities, water pumps, clothing, and more.
Prabowo is deeply concerned about the labor struggle. In various capacities, he fights for the rights of workers. Prior to the 2019 Presidential Election, Prabowo was the only presidential candidate who dared to sign a political contract with labor organizations, to fulfill the 10 demands of the workers.
Prabowo’s genuine concern for the rights of workers was evident when he heard and studied the case of Wilfrida, an Indonesian migrant worker from Belu, East Nusa Tenggara who was facing the death penalty in Malaysia. Believing in Wilfrida’s innocence, Prabowo sought the best lawyer in Malaysia to free Wilfrida. Thanks to Prabowo’s efforts, Wilfrida was able to escape the death penalty in Malaysia. For Prabowo, no Indonesian should be treated unfairly, let alone receive the death penalty in a foreign land.
Consistent in advocating for the interests of farmers and market traders, Prabowo also consistently advocates for the strengthening of cooperative institutions. According to Prabowo, cooperatives are the solution to ensure that economic activities are enjoyed by not just a few but by many people. Prabowo is the initiator and Chairman of the Cooperative Garudayaksa Nusantara for the period 2016-2020.
