The INDONESIAN — R. Haidar Alwi, the founder of Haidar Alwi Care and the Haidar Alwi Institute, views the history of the world economy as a long journey for humanity to fully understand prosperity. From the classical era to the digital age, economic theories have continued to change, but they all stop at one conclusion: any system will fail if it loses its conscience.
According to him, Indonesia does not need to imitate any system. Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution already contains all the best economic principles ever formulated by humans: efficiency, justice, and shared prosperity. “Prosperity without morality is just an illusion, and prosperity without justice is just oppression wrapped in data,” said Haidar Alwi.
Lessons from the History of the World Economy
The 18th century marked the birth of classical economics through Adam Smith’s idea of the “invisible hand” which was believed to be able to balance the market. But over time, that hand was driven by greed. The market creates prosperity on the one hand, but also inequality on the other.
Karl Marx then appeared bringing criticism of the injustice of capitalism, while John Maynard Keynes saved the world from the great crisis of 1930 with the idea that the market could not heal itself without the role of the state.
For Haidar Alwi, from Smith to Keynes, all these theories are just human attempts to find a balance between freedom and justice. “Every time the economy collapses, what falls is not numbers, but a sense of humanity. The crisis is not just a market failure, but a failure of human morals in regulating greed,” said Haidar Alwi.
After Keynes, Milton Friedman appeared with the idea of monetarism which placed monetary stability at the center of the economy. However, for Haidar Alwi, this view is smart but dry, because it puts numbers above humans. “Stability without empathy is just calm on the graph, but anxiety in people’s kitchens,” said Haidar Alwi.
The 21st century brings a new chapter when money turns into data and the market becomes an algorithm. The world is now controlled by an invisible algorithm, an invisible hand that moves through artificial intelligence. “Whoever controls the data, controls the direction of civilization. But data without sovereignty will only give birth to a new form of colonialism,” said Haidar Alwi.
From Global Crisis to National Awareness
According to Haidar Alwi, the long journey of the world economy should bring the Indonesian nation to one awareness: the balance between market and state is the key to economic justice. That is the deepest meaning of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.
This article is not just a legal text, but a moral guide that teaches that the economy must be structured as a joint effort based on the principle of kinship, with the greatest possible results for the prosperity of the people. From this awareness was born the idea of the Pancasila Economy 5.0, a concept that combines technology, science and humanity in a just system.
“Pancasila Economy 5.0 is not a new system, but a renewed old awareness. It emphasizes that true progress is when technology is subject to human values,” said Haidar Alwi.
Indonesia’s economic progress will be realized if three foundations are in balance: food sovereignty, energy independence and national industrial justice. The state must be present in every value chain so that natural wealth does not leak abroad. “A strong country is not one that is rich in investors, but one that is rich in people. Gold, nickel and bauxite are not just commodities, but a constitutional mandate that must be managed with conscience,” said Haidar Alwi.
Prabowo and Purbaya: A New Direction for the Indonesian Economy
In today’s context, Haidar Alwi sees the future of the Indonesian economy in the right hands. President Prabowo Subianto brings political courage to break foreign dependence, while Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa presents scientific precision and honest fiscal morals.
“Prabowo is the heir to Sumitro Jojohadikusumo’s vision, while Purbaya is his scientific hand who executes it with moral discipline,” said Haidar Alwi.
Fiscal policy under Purbaya is directed at strengthening the real sector, expanding employment, and returning the focus of the economy to people’s welfare. He places public money not as a tool of power, but as an energy for development that is pro-people.
Meanwhile, Prabowo is restoring the spirit of self-reliance through downstreaming natural resources, food self-sufficiency and national energy sovereignty. The synergy between the two creates harmony between political courage and scientific accuracy. “Monetary maintains numbers, fiscal maintains humans. Both must be pro so that this nation is sovereign in its own land,” said Haidar Alwi.
Looking Towards the Future of the Pancasila Economy
Haidar Alwi’s optimism comes from the belief that this nation has everything it needs to be great: abundant natural resources, a productive young generation, and strong moral values in the constitution.
The challenge, he said, is no longer about resources, but the willingness to run the economy with a conscience. As long as the direction of policy is based on the spirit of Article 33 and the values of Pancasila, Indonesia will not only survive in the midst of the global storm, but will also become a beacon of economic justice for the world.
“As long as this nation upholds the morals of Article 33, we will not fall into crisis. We are not building an economy, we are building the nation’s dignity,” concluded Haidar Alwi. (*)
Media Editorial Team: Representatives of PRIME NEWS POST Journalists/ Media Editor: Hary.S
