Jakarta, Aug. 14 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto presented the 2027 draft state budget to parliament on Friday, framing fiscal policy as a vital welfare instrument to guarantee food, education, healthcare, and social protections nationwide.

Delivering his annual budget address at the opening of the 2026-2027 parliamentary session in Jakarta, Prabowo emphasized that national spending must deliver direct, everyday benefits to ordinary citizens.

"The state budget is an instrument to protect the people, a tool to strengthen the nation, and a means to realize our independence by achieving a better life," Prabowo told lawmakers.

While past generations fought for political sovereignty, Prabowo noted that today's imperative is ensurin...