Amien Rais Warns of Declining Middle Class, Economic Risks in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Assembly Council of the Ummat Party, Amien Rais, highlighted the decline in economic conditions over the past five years in Indonesia. “The number of middle class individuals has significantly decreased, from 57.33 million in 2019 to only 47.85 million in 2024,” he said before party members during a Political Tausiyah at the Ummat Party’s National Assembly (Munas) in Yogyakarta on Saturday night, May 2, 2026.

According to Amien, the shrinking middle class in Indonesia is a crucial and urgent issue that must be addressed by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration to maintain social and economic stability.

He stressed the importance of restoring sovereignty over natural resources, which he believes have been controlled by certain groups. The former People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chair also pointed to the long-standing dominance of illicit economic forces in the country.

He further criticized oligarchic groups, saying they have enabled control over the mining sector—including gold, nickel, and silver—as well as land ownership patterns that have persisted since the Soeharto era.

Amien also urged President Prabowo to fully implement Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution. He likened Indonesia to “a goose that lays golden eggs,” which could be sold off entirely to foreign parties without benefiting the people.

The former MPR chair said he would offer strong moral support if Prabowo firmly upheld the principle of economic sovereignty. He expressed hope that Indonesia’s natural resources would be managed for the benefit of its own people.

Amien believes that if this principle is consistently enforced, more than 90 percent of Indonesians would stand firmly behind the President.

Despite his criticism, he remains optimistic that Indonesia will stay united as long as sovereignty is upheld by its leaders. He called on all elements of society to remain optimistic in pursuing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.

He said major targets—such as achieving a per capita income of US$30,300, creating a generation free from stunting, and advancing digital intelligence—must continue to be pursued despite current shortcomings.

“We hope President Prabowo can lead Indonesia to true independence and sovereignty, with the principle that the nation’s natural wealth belongs to its people,” he said.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar urged the middle class and vulnerable poor to be patient regarding ongoing poverty alleviation efforts.

“We are currently addressing extreme and general poverty first. Once this is resolved, we will move on to the vulnerable poor,” Muhaimin said during a ministerial-level meeting in Jakarta on Monday, April 27, 2026, as reported by Antara.

According to him, during the first one and a half years of the Prabowo administration, the focus has been on reducing the number of poor and extremely poor people.

“The government has only been in office for a year and a half. There will be a time when we address the vulnerable poor. Be patient—we will continue to work hard, but the priority is to resolve extreme poverty first,” he said.

Read: Ummat Party Questions Removal of Amien Rais Video on Prabowo

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