Prabowo’s consistency in fighting to improve the livelihoods of farmers, fishermen, market traders, and the people of Indonesia in general seems to know no bounds.
Prabowo began his humanitarian struggles at a very young age with Soe Hok Gie. They founded the first NGO in Indonesia, the Lembaga Pembangunan. Then Prabowo became the Chairman of HKTI and the Chairman of APPSI. Prabowo also actively helped people in need in his personal capacity.
Prabowo was the Chairman of the Himpunan Kerukunan Tani Indonesia (HKTI) from 2004 to 2015. He is now the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Farmers’ Youth. With HKTI, Prabowo advocates for a better life for all farmers in Indonesia by developing superior seeds, distributing agricultural machinery, fighting 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 is why he personally checks the needs of farmers and fights for whatever is needed by them.
Prabowo was elected as the Chairman of the Asosiasi Pedagang Pasar Seluruh Indonesia (APPSI) from 2008 to 2013, and he is now the Chairman of the APPSI Board of Trustees. Together with APPSI, Prabowo is working to improve the livelihoods of market traders throughout Indonesia.
The fate of market traders often depends heavily on the support of local leaders. Therefore, as Chairman of APPSI, Prabowo actively supports candidates for regional heads who have proven to be supportive of market traders. One of the regional head candidates who received APPSI’s support was Ir. Joko Widodo when he ran for Governor of Jakarta in 2012.
As a successful entrepreneur, Prabowo allocates a large part of his business profits to humanitarian missions. He has provided assistance to thousands of children and residents in need of medical assistance, both in his personal capacity and as the leader of various community organizations.
During disasters, Prabowo visits refugees and provides them with the necessary goods such as basic necessities, water pumps, clothing, and more.
Prabowo is very familiar with the struggles of workers. In various capacities, he advocates for workers’ rights. Leading up to the 2019 Presidential Election, Prabowo was the only presidential candidate brave enough to sign a political contract with labor organizations to realize 10 labor demands.
Prabowo’s genuine concern for workers’ rights was evident when he heard about and learned about the case of Wilfrida, a migrant worker from Belu, East Nusa Tenggara, who was facing the death penalty in Malaysia. Believing that Wilfrida was innocent, Prabowo sought out the best lawyer in Malaysia to free Wilfrida. Thanks to Prabowo’s efforts, Wilfrida was able to escape the death penalty in Malaysia. For Prabowo, no Indonesian citizens should be treated unfairly, let alone given the death penalty in a foreign country.
Consistent in advocating for the interests of farmers and market traders, Prabowo is also consistent in advocating for the strengthening of cooperative institutions. According to Prabowo, cooperatives are the solution to ensuring that economic activities are enjoyed not only by a few but by the majority of the people. Prabowo is the initiator and Chairman of Koperasi Garudayaksa Nusantara for the period 2016-2020.
