Indonesia’s Shadow Cabinet Criticizes Prabowo’s Budget, Economic Policies

Indonesia’s Shadow Cabinet Criticizes Prabowo’s Budget, Economic Policies

Indonesia s Shadow Cabinet Criticizes Prabowo – Indonesia’s Shadow Cabinet Criticizes Prabowo’s fiscal approach, highlighting concerns over how the current administration is managing the nation’s resources. Bhima Yudhistira, a key figure within the Shadow Cabinet, has voiced apprehensions about the budgetary decisions and economic initiatives under President Prabowo Subianto. He emphasized that the government’s financial strategies are often hasty, leaving public funds vulnerable to mismanagement. “The budget is being allocated without sufficient oversight, which puts taxpayer money at risk,” Bhima stated when discussing recent policy shifts. This critique comes as part of an ongoing effort to ensure that economic policies align with long-term stability and equitable growth.

Populist Programs and Fiscal Oversight

Bhima Yudhistira pointed out that several populist programs, such as the free nutritious meals initiative and the red and white village cooperatives, were introduced without proper research or pilot testing. “These programs lack a solid foundation, yet they consume significant public resources,” he noted during a recent interview. The Shadow Cabinet argues that such measures, while popular, contribute to rising national debt without delivering measurable outcomes. Bhima called for a more rigorous evaluation of projects before they are approved, stressing that the finance minister should prioritize fiscal discipline. “A program must be justified, not just approved on the basis of political appeal,” he explained, urging Prabowo’s team to reconsider their allocation methods.

“Populist programs like free nutritious meals and the red and white village cooperatives were introduced without thorough research or pilot testing,” said Bhima Yudhistira when contacted on Saturday, July 18, 2026.