President Prabowo Vows to Eradicate Extreme Poverty Within Four Years

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto pledged before global leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in Indonesia within the next four years, framing the effort as his life’s mission and the defining purpose of his remaining years in public service.

President Prabowo noted that extreme poverty in Indonesia has fallen to its lowest level in history, but stressed that the task is far from complete. He outlined a philosophy of leadership centered on restoring hope to those living at the margins of society.

“I am determined that in the next four years, we will eradicate extreme poverty and reduce the overall poverty rate. That is my life’s mission. That is my mission for the rest of my life,” President Prabowo said during the forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that the most noble duty of a leader is to ensure that the poor and vulnerable can “smile and laugh” because they see a future for themselves.

The President highlighted a striking paradox in Indonesian society, citing global surveys by Gallup and Harvard University that rank Indonesians among the happiest and most optimistic people in the world. Yet he tempered this pride with a sobering reminder of the millions who still live in inadequate conditions.

“I know my people. Many of them live in huts, many eat rice with salt, but they still smile,” he remarked.

To address these systemic challenges, President Prabowo said his administration will prioritize anti-corruption measures, focusing on eliminating manipulation and abuse of power to ensure that national resources reach those most in need.

Alongside governance reforms, the government is committed to expanding basic infrastructure, including access to clean water, modern sanitation, and decent housing for low-income families.

Ultimately, these efforts aim to foster economic hope by creating a framework that enables the poorest citizens to experience tangible improvements in their daily lives and overall well-being.

With a clear four-year deadline, President Prabowo’s speech at Davos served as a global commitment to social reform. By declaring the fight against hunger and poverty as his “life’s mission,” he signaled to international investors and fellow heads of state that human-centered development will remain the cornerstone of Indonesia’s domestic agenda through 2030. ***