Prabowo’s Consistency in Struggling for Farmers, Fishermen, Market Traders, and the People of Indonesia
Prabowo’s consistency in the struggle to improve the standard of living for farmers, fishermen, market traders, and the people of Indonesia in general seems to know no bounds. He began his humanitarian struggle at a very young age with Soe Hok Gie. Together, they founded the first NGO in Indonesia, the Development Institute. Prabowo then became the Chairman of HKTI and the Chairman of APPSI. He also has been very active personally in helping people in need.
Prabowo served as the Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Unity Association (HKTI) from 2004 to 2015. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Young Farmers. With HKTI, Prabowo advocates for a better life for all farmers in Indonesia by developing superior seeds, distributing agricultural machinery, fighting for fair retail prices, and subsidies for Indonesia’s main agricultural commodities.
Like Ir. Sukarno, Prabowo believes that agriculture is the lifeblood of Indonesia. That is why he personally checks the needs of farmers and fights for whatever is needed by them.
Prabowo was elected as the Chairman of the Association of Market Traders throughout Indonesia (APPSI) from 2008 to 2013. He is now the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of APPSI. Together with APPSI, Prabowo strives to improve the standard of living for market traders across Indonesia.
The fate of market traders often depends on the support of local leaders. Therefore, as the Chairman of APPSI, Prabowo actively supports candidates for regional heads who have shown support for market traders. One of the regional head candidates who received APPSI’s support was Ir. Joko Widodo when he ran for Governor of Jakarta in 2012.
As a successful businessman, Prabowo allocates most of the profits from his business for humanitarian missions. He has provided assistance to thousands of children and citizens in need of medical assistance, both in his personal capacity and as a leader of various social organizations.
In times of disaster, Prabowo visits refugees and provides them with necessary items such as groceries, water pumps, clothing, and more.
Prabowo is deeply concerned about labor struggles. In various capacities, he fights for labor rights. Prior to the 2019 Presidential Election, Prabowo was the only presidential candidate willing to sign a political contract with labor organizations to fulfill 10 labor demands.
Prabowo’s genuine concern for labor rights was evident when he heard about the case of Wilfrida, an Indonesian migrant worker from Belu, East Nusa Tenggara who was facing the death penalty in Malaysia. Believing in Wilfrida’s innocence, Prabowo sought the best lawyer in Malaysia to free her. Thanks to Prabowo’s efforts, Wilfrida was spared from the death penalty in Malaysia. For Prabowo, no Indonesian should be treated unfairly, let alone be sentenced to death in a foreign land.
Consistent in advocating for the interests of farmers and market traders, Prabowo also consistently advocates for the strengthening of cooperative institutions. According to Prabowo, cooperatives are the solution to ensure that economic activities are enjoyed not only by a few but by the majority of people. Prabowo is the initiator and Chairman of the Cooperative Garudayaksa Nusantara for the period 2016-2020.
