Originally published at https://indonesia.go.id/ on Saturday, 16 August 2025.
True independence means freedom from poverty, dependency, and injustice. To achieve this, the government is implementing five priority programs designed as a bridge between the ideals of independence and the realities of daily life.
August always arrives with familiar stories: the red-and-white flag fluttering from bamboo poles in front yards, children joyfully competing in games, and prayers of gratitude echoing in mosques and churches. Yet, for President Prabowo Subianto, the independence celebrated each August 17 is not the final destination. It is an unfinished journey, a promise that must be fulfilled for every Indonesian citizen.
On Wednesday, July 23, at the State Palace in Jakarta, President Prabowo officially launched the theme of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day: “United and Sovereign, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia.” The theme, he said, reflects the nation’s long journey and serves as a reminder that independence must be nurtured with unity, defended with sovereignty, and fulfilled through prosperity.
"This is the nation’s journey, built on the blood of fighters, the sweat of the people, and the prayers of mothers who long for their children to live well in their own land," the President declared before ministers, regional leaders, and representatives of Indonesians abroad, who attended the launch both in person and virtually.
For President Prabowo, true independence is realized when the three national goals enshrined in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution are fulfilled: to ensure the welfare of the people, to advance the nation’s intellect, and to contribute actively to global peace.
“We have been independent for 80 years, yet poverty still exists. We must free ourselves from poverty,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Chief Hasan Nasbi on Thursday, Aug. 14. He added that the President also highlighted the challenges of out-of-school children and Indonesia’s dependence on other countries for food and energy.
True independence, therefore, means freedom from poverty, dependency, and injustice. To that end, the government is carrying out five priority programs that serve as the bridge between the ideals of independence and the daily lives of the people.
Five Priority Programs for All People
The programs are Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG), Free Health Screenings (CKG), Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools), Red-and-White Village/Urban Cooperatives, and the Construction of Three Million Homes.
PCO Senior Expert Hamdan Hamedan explained that these initiatives are designed as an interconnected system, covering everything from the first 1,000 days of life to economic self-sufficiency.
He illustrated this with the story of Ani, a girl from a modest family. From pregnancy, her mother received free nutritious meals. Ani grew up healthy, studied at a People’s School that provided education, nutritious meals, and regular health checks. Her father, once struggling for capital, received financing from a Red-and-White Cooperative. As the family’s economy improved, they were able to purchase a decent home through the Three Million Homes program.
"Poverty must not be inherited. These programs are promises being realized and will continue to be realized," said Hamdan.
The Free Nutritious Meals program, he added, is a tangible manifestation of Indonesia’s independence in nutrition. More than just food aid, it is an investment in the future of the nation’s children. Thanks to MBG, millions of students, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers across the country now have access to nutritious meals every day.
The program not only boosts students’ concentration and academic performance but also supports physical growth and brain development. In the long term, MBG is expected to lay the foundation for a generation of excellence on the road to Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia Vision 2045).
Red and White Cooperatives: Empowering Local Economies
Another milestone is the establishment of 80,081 Red-and-White Village/Urban Cooperatives (KDMP) on July 21, 2025. These cooperatives drive local economies by shortening the supply chain for essential goods, medicine, and fertilizers, making them more affordable and accessible.
Dedi Nurendi, Chair of the Red-and-White Cooperative in Cileunyi Wetan, Bandung, West Java, said the initiative has eased the burden on local residents.
"This cooperative addresses the community’s concerns about having to travel far to buy basic goods. Many residents trapped in informal lending schemes now also find relief through our savings and loans system," he explained.
For Dedi and the people of Cileunyi, the cooperative represents more than just economic access. “Let’s build cooperatives because they are by us, for us, and from us. Cooperatives embody the spirit of mutual cooperation,” he said.
This massive cooperative movement, therefore, is not just about economic distribution but also about transitioning from reliance on social aid to sustainable, productive economic empowerment.
Three Million Homes: Decent Housing for All
The Three Million Homes program aims to resolve the housing backlog affecting 9.9 million families and to renovate 26.9 million substandard homes. Houses are being built across cities, villages, and coastal areas, with disaster-adaptive designs.
"President Prabowo wants independence to be felt by every citizen, including through decent housing for all families," said PCO Senior Expert Ujang Komarudin.
Beyond addressing inequality, the program is also spurring the national economy. Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlements Fahri Hamzah emphasized that the housing sector drives construction, building materials, and job creation.
The program’s beneficiaries range from civil servants, military and police personnel, teachers, and journalists to low-income families and even tribal leaders. Homes are also being built in remote, frontier, and outermost regions such as Maluku and Papua.
Eight decades of independence mark a moment to look forward. For President Prabowo, independence is not only about raising the flag but also about ensuring it is present on the people’s dining tables, in their schools, in their village cooperatives, and in their homes.
Through these five priority programs, the government seeks to make independence a lived experience every day, from newborn babies in remote areas to farmers in villages, fishermen on the coasts, and workers in the nation’s big cities.
As President Prabowo stated, “True independence is when every citizen lives in prosperity, stands on their own feet, and takes pride in being Indonesian.”
Writer: Kristantyo Wisnubroto
Editors: Untung Sutomo/Wilda Stiana
Translator: Sri Widadi
Article Originally Published at indonesia.go.id
