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PDI-P blasts defense spending amid price hike
The PDI-P, presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo’s main sponsor, has criticized a plan to raise close to US$ 25 billion in debt to procure arms amid a cost of living crisis.
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Megawati Soekarnoputri (center), chairwoman of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo (left) share a moment on Sept. 29, 2023, as PDI-P presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo looks on, during the party's national meeting in Jakarta. (Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo’s main sponsor, has lashed out against a state plan to raise close to US$ 25 billion to procure arms from overseas while the country grapples with a growing cost of living crisis.
PDI-P secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto criticized Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, a rival candidate, for putting the government in more debt, especially at a time when the economy is in flux and prices are high.
“At a time when people are faced with rising costs of basic needs, Pak Prabowo chooses to raise Rp 386 trillion [US$24.7 billion] in debt to buy weapons,” Hasto said at the party’s Central Jakarta headquarters on Saturday.
The PDI-P politician noted how Prabowo’s current defense spending policy would “highly contrast” with Ganjar’s plans in the sector.
Hasto said that Ganjar wants to see more domestic arms procurement, as part of a plan to spark the development of homegrown talent and defense technology innovation.
“Our defense industry will be developed with autonomy in mind, by maximizing the potential of homegrown talent, especially young people who have mastered the defense tech of tomorrow,” he said, as quoted by Kompas.com.
He also said Ganjar would work to instill a passion for local products in the Indonesian Military (TNI) institution, as he believes local arms manufacturers have what it takes to be on par with foreign competitors and even offer more “geopolitically” for Indonesia as an emerging power.
On top of that, Hasto said Ganjar’s approach to geopolitics would take a more measured geographical approach than that of the current defense minister, who he claims is more focused on keeping clients happy.
“Pak Prabowo’s [approach to geopolitics involves] buying used weapons,” he said.
The statement comes just as the government postponed a plan to purchase 12 used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar because of budget limitations on Thursday, and just ahead of the third televised election debate on Sunday.
A member of Prabowo’s camp hit back by saying that any accusations regarding state spending should be addressed to the Finance Ministry and the House of Representatives Budget Committee (Banggar), which is currently led by a PDI-P politician.
