Jakarta. Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto recently said that Indonesia had the right to produce sophisticated goods as a means to create well-paying jobs for its population.

Prabowo was attending a campaign rally in Simpang Lima, Semarang, over the weekend. In his speech, Prabowo recalled his recent conversation with a Japanese diplomat. 

“I told [the envoy]: ‘We, Indonesia, also want to be just like you [Japan],” Prabowo said.

Just like the manufacturing giant Japan, Indonesia wants to export value-added goods to other countries. In other words, Prabowo wants to carry on Indonesia’s strategy of processing its resources at home to create sophisticated goods.

“We don’t want to keep on buying sophisticated goods. We want to produce those goods at home. So our sons and daughters can get well-paid,” Prabowo said.

According to Prabowo, Indonesia has made steps towards that goal. He added: “We are already manufacturing cars in Indonesia. Not much, and it still calls for improvement. But we have started. We have also produced electric two-wheelers.”

Prabowo also told the crowd not to fall for fear-mongering narratives of Indonesia’s conditions.

“We have a bright future ahead. If anyone tries to scare the people, don’t listen to them,” Prabowo said.

“Mr. Jokowi, Mr. SBY [former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono], Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the Onward Indonesia Coalition would not want Indonesia to be the victim of other countries. We don’t want that,” Prabowo said.

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