Prabowo-Gibran Wins 2024 Election Results, Industry Players Ask for Crypto Tax to be Reviewed

Previously, the General Election Commission (KPU) had completed an open plenary meeting recapitulating the results of the national level vote count for 38 provinces throughout Indonesia with the result that the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair number two Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka received the most votes.

With this decision, the free lunch program initiated by Prabowo Subianto will most likely be implemented as a step to carry out political promises. Director of the Center of Economics and Law Studies (Celios), Bhima Yudhistira, said that the free lunch policy for students is of concern to investors and business people.

This concern is because this program could increase the debt ratio. “The question is, how to finance the free lunch program? Here concerns arise from investors and business players that the debt ratio is increasing,” said Bhima when contacted by Merdeka.com in Jakarta, Thursday (21/3/2024).

Investors and business people are also worried about the potential for tax increases during the Prabowo government era to finance the free lunch program. In particular, tax increases targeting middle economic groups.

“The tax revenue will target the middle group,” he said.

Therefore, Bhima asked the Prabowo-Gibran economic team to develop a strong APBN posture amidst the global economic slowdown. Moreover, currently the prices of a number of Indonesia's mainstay export commodities are experiencing a downward trend in prices.

“So, we also need to get a clear fiscal plan or budget posture from the new government, where risks and strategies must be addressed from now on. If fiscal discipline falls, the debt rating could be downgraded and cause serious problems,” he explained. .