Prabowo Says Motherland is Raped, Luhut: Growth is Good
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8 April 2019 21:26 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has dismissed claims by presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, who said the country was in dire straits.
The presidential candidate reportedly made the claims in front of thousands of his supporters in Sunday’s campaign at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) stadium.
“I stand here because, in my view, our country is ill. Brother and sisters, our Ibu Pertiwi (motherland) is being raped. Our wealth is constantly taken from us, and people’s rights are being stomped upon,” said Prabowo in his campaign.
Read: Prabowo Promises Lower Electricity Rates, Luhut: Not That Simple
In response to that statement, Luhut highlighted Indonesia’s growth and countered Prabowo’s claim. “So if someone claims our nation is being raped, maybe that person is the perpetrator,” said Luhut.
Asked about the examples that would counter Prabowo’s claims, Luhut mentioned Indonesia’s USD 1.1 billion GDP, 3 percent inflation rate, lower poverty line, and the many Indonesian startups earning the Unicorn status.
However, Luhut acknowledged that Indonesia’s economic growth had been declining since 2009 but it was mainly caused by the dropping prices of commodities.
DIAS PRASONGKO
