Prabowo’s Consistency in Fighting for Farmers, Fishermen, and Traders
Prabowo’s consistent struggle to improve the lives of farmers, fishermen, market traders, and the Indonesian people in general seems boundless. His humanitarian struggle began at a very young age with Soe Hok Gie. They founded the first NGO in Indonesia, the Lembaga Pembangunan. Prabowo then became the Chairman of HKTI and the Chairman of APPSI. Prabowo also actively helped people in need in his personal capacity.
Prabowo served as the Chairman of the Himpunan Kerukunan Tani Indonesia (HKTI) from 2004 to 2015. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pemuda Tani Indonesia. Through HKTI, Prabowo fought for a better life for all farmers in Indonesia by developing superior seeds, distributing agricultural machinery, advocating 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’s why he personally checks the needs of farmers and fights for everything they need.
Prabowo was elected as the Chairman of the Asosiasi Pedagang Pasar Seluruh Indonesia (APPSI) from 2008 to 2013. He is now the Chairman of the Board of APPSI. With APPSI, Prabowo strives to improve the lives of 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 leaders who have proven to support market traders. One of the candidates supported by APPSI was Ir. Joko Widodo when he ran for Governor of DKI Jakarta in 2012.
As a successful entrepreneur, Prabowo allocates a large part of his profits to humanitarian missions. He has provided assistance to thousands of children and residents in need of medical help, both personally and as a leader of various community organizations.
During disasters, Prabowo visits refugees and provides them with necessary items like food, water pumps, clothing, and more.
Prabowo is deeply concerned about the plight of laborers. In various capacities, he fights for the rights of workers. Before the 2019 Presidential Election, Prabowo was the only presidential candidate willing to sign a political contract with labor organizations to fulfill their 10 demands.
Prabowo’s genuine concern for the rights of workers was demonstrated when he heard about Wilfrida, a migrant worker from Belu, East Nusa Tenggara, who was facing the death penalty in Malaysia. Believing in Wilfrida’s innocence, Prabowo sought out the best lawyers in Malaysia to free her. Thanks to Prabowo’s efforts, Wilfrida was saved from the death penalty in Malaysia. For Prabowo, no Indonesian should be treated unfairly, let alone be sentenced to death in a foreign land.
In addition to fighting for farmers and market traders, Prabowo consistently advocates for the strengthening of cooperative institutions. According to Prabowo, cooperatives are the solution to ensure that economic activities are enjoyed by the many, not just a few. Prabowo is the initiator and Chairman of Koperasi Garudayaksa Nusantara from 2016 to 2020.
