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Paradoks Indonesia dan Solusinya
Indonesia merdeka untuk jadi negara yang kuat dan terhormat. Menjadi negara yang disegani karena rakyatnya hidup sejahtera, dan berkontribusi positif pada kehidupan bangsa-bangsa. Menjadi Macan Asia. Saat ini, kurang dari 25 tahun menuju 100 tahun kemerdekaan Indonesia, kita belum mencapai, bahkan masih jauh dari taraf kesejahteraan dan gambar-gambar pembanguinan yang sesuai dengan cita-cita para Pendiri Bangsa.
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Published August 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 17, 2025
Overview
"Paradoks Indonesia" is a 200+ page book written by the current President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto (and his team). The page count suggests this is a substantial read, but the large text size and numerous infographics make it a relatively quick read. I finished it in about an hour during a relaxed morning.
The book is available as a free PDF on Prabowo's official website, having been published digitally in August 2023, though the content was completed in 2022. So take note that what's written here was finalized before he finalized his coalition on the presidential race.
Book Production Quality
The production quality is reasonably good. It's evident that a team compiled the content based on Prabowo's communications and speeches at various events. There is some repetition, particularly regarding democracy (likely drawn from different occasions), but these instances are minimal.
Content
The book outlines several issues facing Indonesia. It's mostly about the economy and the paradox of why this country, rich in natural resources, is still a developing country, and how inequality is rampant. It also proposes solutions, some of which have since been implemented under Prabowo's presidency, such as the Danantara program and Koperasi initiatives. There's no explicit mention of Makan Bergizi Gratis, which suggests it came into the spotlight a bit later.
There's an ironic paradox, though, just like the book title itself, hehe. Some of the problems highlighted in the book—nepotism and inequality, for example—continue under the author's own administration, and in some cases are even connected to him personally. This creates a disconnect between the idealized vision presented in the book and the compromised reality of governance.
Again, it's worth noting that the book was completed before Prabowo finalized his presidential coalition and running mate. What we see in the book likely represents his ideal vision, while his current governance reflects the compromises necessitated by political realities.
Solutions Proposed?
The solutions presented in the book are... definitely not wrong, but generally broad and somewhat vague. They lack specific implementation details, similar to saying "to be healthy, exercise regularly" without specifying what exercises to do, how often, or where. This makes it difficult to evaluate their practicality or effectiveness without deeper subject matter expertise.
Worth Reading?
Is this book worth reading? Yes, it's informative despite some changes in circumstances since publication. However, it won't appeal to all audiences. It's probably most relevant for journalists, researchers, supporters of Prabowo, or readers with time on their hands (like me!) looking for political insights.
Is this a propaganda book? Is this a campaign book? Or is it truly a crystallization of his vision of Indonesia? I am not sure.
In the end, I conclude that "Paradoks Indonesia" offers a window into Prabowo Subianto's thinking prior to his presidency (which surprisingly enough, is quite consistent with his own past iterations as he has entered the presidential race several times). Although readers should approach it with awareness of the gap between his written ideals and subsequent political actions.
"Paradoks Indonesia" is a 200+ page book written by the current President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto (and his team). The page count suggests this is a substantial read, but the large text size and numerous infographics make it a relatively quick read. I finished it in about an hour during a relaxed morning.
The book is available as a free PDF on Prabowo's official website, having been published digitally in August 2023, though the content was completed in 2022. So take note that what's written here was finalized before he finalized his coalition on the presidential race.
Book Production Quality
The production quality is reasonably good. It's evident that a team compiled the content based on Prabowo's communications and speeches at various events. There is some repetition, particularly regarding democracy (likely drawn from different occasions), but these instances are minimal.
Content
The book outlines several issues facing Indonesia. It's mostly about the economy and the paradox of why this country, rich in natural resources, is still a developing country, and how inequality is rampant. It also proposes solutions, some of which have since been implemented under Prabowo's presidency, such as the Danantara program and Koperasi initiatives. There's no explicit mention of Makan Bergizi Gratis, which suggests it came into the spotlight a bit later.
There's an ironic paradox, though, just like the book title itself, hehe. Some of the problems highlighted in the book—nepotism and inequality, for example—continue under the author's own administration, and in some cases are even connected to him personally. This creates a disconnect between the idealized vision presented in the book and the compromised reality of governance.
Again, it's worth noting that the book was completed before Prabowo finalized his presidential coalition and running mate. What we see in the book likely represents his ideal vision, while his current governance reflects the compromises necessitated by political realities.
Solutions Proposed?
The solutions presented in the book are... definitely not wrong, but generally broad and somewhat vague. They lack specific implementation details, similar to saying "to be healthy, exercise regularly" without specifying what exercises to do, how often, or where. This makes it difficult to evaluate their practicality or effectiveness without deeper subject matter expertise.
Worth Reading?
Is this book worth reading? Yes, it's informative despite some changes in circumstances since publication. However, it won't appeal to all audiences. It's probably most relevant for journalists, researchers, supporters of Prabowo, or readers with time on their hands (like me!) looking for political insights.
Is this a propaganda book? Is this a campaign book? Or is it truly a crystallization of his vision of Indonesia? I am not sure.
In the end, I conclude that "Paradoks Indonesia" offers a window into Prabowo Subianto's thinking prior to his presidency (which surprisingly enough, is quite consistent with his own past iterations as he has entered the presidential race several times). Although readers should approach it with awareness of the gap between his written ideals and subsequent political actions.
November 22, 2025
Of all the problems Prabowo discusses and the solutions outlined in this book, I see several concepts that are already clearly being implemented. In this book, his strategic view of Indonesia, written after his defeat in the 2014 presidential election, he first discusses Indonesia's economic policies, which he considers highly detrimental. He also discusses the need for cooperatives for the Indonesian people, and discusses the malnutrition that causes stunting. Is this the basis for Prabowo's Free Nutritional Meal Program with the Red and White Cooperative?
On the other hand, regarding politics, he stated that the cost of politics is very high. This is a fact. This has caused the breakdown of the Indonesian government system due to high costs. These high costs have led some politicians competing in the legislative and executive branches to seek to recoup their campaign funds, one dirty way of doing so is through corruption.
I agree that campaign costs in Indonesia are very high, and Indonesian politics is deeply entrenched in money politics, a form of money politics that is damaging the mentality of Indonesian voters. With the existence of money politics and oligarchy, it is clear that the government will inevitably be filled with individuals with significant capital, individuals who hold positions to enrich themselves rather than improve the welfare of the people.
At the end of the page, the Gerindra Party's Articles of Association (AD) and Bylaws (ART) conclude. One interesting aspect of these AD, Article 11, Paragraph 1, is the phrase: "Upholding the 1945 Constitution, as stipulated on August 18, 1945." This refers to the original 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Will Prabowo, as Chairman of the Gerindra Party and already serving as Indonesia's eighth president, return the 1945 Constitution to its original, pre-amendment text? We'll see.
On the other hand, regarding politics, he stated that the cost of politics is very high. This is a fact. This has caused the breakdown of the Indonesian government system due to high costs. These high costs have led some politicians competing in the legislative and executive branches to seek to recoup their campaign funds, one dirty way of doing so is through corruption.
I agree that campaign costs in Indonesia are very high, and Indonesian politics is deeply entrenched in money politics, a form of money politics that is damaging the mentality of Indonesian voters. With the existence of money politics and oligarchy, it is clear that the government will inevitably be filled with individuals with significant capital, individuals who hold positions to enrich themselves rather than improve the welfare of the people.
At the end of the page, the Gerindra Party's Articles of Association (AD) and Bylaws (ART) conclude. One interesting aspect of these AD, Article 11, Paragraph 1, is the phrase: "Upholding the 1945 Constitution, as stipulated on August 18, 1945." This refers to the original 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Will Prabowo, as Chairman of the Gerindra Party and already serving as Indonesia's eighth president, return the 1945 Constitution to its original, pre-amendment text? We'll see.
December 17, 2025
Politics aside, this is a rare find in the landscape of (Indonesian) political literature because he is one of the few leaders who actually provides a clear and systematic manifesto. The book is surprisingly accessible (I managed to finish it in one sitting) as it neatly categorizes the country's structural flaws alongside a concrete blueprint of possible solutions. Now that he has transitioned from an observer to President and one year of his administration has already passed, the book serves as more than just a vision, but a benchmark for his performance. With four years left in this term, and potentially nine years if he continues for a second, the focus now shifts to whether he can successfully translate these written promises into tangible policy outcomes to finally resolve the national "paradox" he so rightfully diagnosed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews