Prabowo Subianto stated that the Indonesian government is confronting significant challenges, particularly in combating corruption and improving governance across multiple sectors. He delivered these remarks while attending the Business Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., United States, on Wednesday (February 18, 2026), local time.

At the outset of his speech, Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia possesses strong economic fundamentals and has maintained solid fiscal discipline. The country’s inflation rate ranks among the lowest, economic growth has remained steady at around 5%, and it is projected to rise further this year. In addition, foreign investment inflows from the United States have reached US$53 billion.

He said this reflects genuine confidence in Indonesia’s economy, its potential, its political stability, and the direction of its policies.

According to the president, Indonesia’s economic strategy is capable of sustaining growth. However, achieving higher growth will require better management of natural resources by closing leakages, strengthening governance, and intensifying anti-corruption efforts.

Prabowo acknowledged openly that the country still faces weaknesses, particularly in governance, corruption issues, and underperforming institutions.

He highlighted widespread smuggling and various illegal economic activities, including illegal fishing and corporations operating plantations within protected forest areas. He described these as longstanding problems that he has chosen to confront directly.

He asserted that the government does not intend to lose to cartels that have been siphoning off state revenues. Authorities are currently calculating the magnitude of state losses caused by weak natural resource governance and economic mismanagement.

Prabowo stressed that he does not want Indonesia’s sovereignty to be surrendered to illegal cartels that continue to deprive the state and its citizens of rightful revenues. He underlined that the losses stemming from weak governance and economic mismanagement are substantial.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of his administration, the Chairman of the Gerindra Party revealed that the government had achieved US$18 billion in savings by eliminating inefficiencies and discontinuing unproductive projects within the state budget.