Jakarta, January 13, 2026 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Monday reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicating extreme poverty in the country by the end of his term in 2029. Speaking at the inauguration of 166 Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) across 34 provinces in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, President Prabowo expressed optimism that conditions for the nation’s lowest-income groups could be significantly improved through sustained government efforts and targeted policies.
Deciles 1 and 2, representing the poorest 20 percent of Indonesia’s population, remain the primary focus of social assistance programs aimed at reducing economic inequality and vulnerability to social shocks.
“We can eliminate extreme poverty in Indonesia,” President Prabowo said, emphasizing that the target is realistic given the progress achieved so far. He called on Indonesians to remain confident yet humble, noting that national pride should be balanced with a sense of responsibility.
Highlighting Indonesia’s abundant natural resources and development potential, the President acknowledged past governance challenges while expressing gratitude for the country’s resilience amid global geoeconomic and political uncertainties. “In the midst of global turmoil and uncertainty, we are grateful that our country remains in good condition,” he remarked.
President Prabowo noted tangible improvements over the past six months, particularly in conditions for the younger generation and vulnerable communities. He urged all Indonesians to work collectively to eradicate poverty and hunger and improve living standards nationwide.
Statistics Indonesia reported that the nation’s extreme poverty rate declined to 0.85 percent in March 2025, down from 1.26 percent the previous year, reflecting progress toward the government’s ambitious goal.
