Prabowo's inner circle sets up think-tank to help businesses

It is pitched to navigate bureaucracy but founders' close ties to govt spark unease

- Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

JAKARTA - Figures known to be close advisers to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have established the Prasasti Center for Policy Studies, which has been pitched as an independent think-tank to help businesses — including foreign investors — navigate the country's complex bureaucracy.

But there is some unease over its promised role to bridge the gap between the government and the private sector, given the close ties its founders have to the government and the possible conflicts of interest that could arise.

There are also concerns that Prasasti, which says it will also advise the government, could end up a quasi think-tank that functions more as a lobby group.

The self-styled independent research institute based in Jakarta, which was launched on June 30, has 21 senior figures who make up its board of directors, board of experts (to ensure solid research), board of trustees (to oversee effective governance), and board of advisers (to provide strategic guidance).

Among Prasasti's key members and supporters are Mr Prabowo's younger brother Hashim Djojohadikusumo and senior figures like former finance minister Chatib Basri, as well as former central bank governor Burhanuddin Abdullah who helped steer Mr Prabowo's 2024 presidential campaign.

Professor Soedradjad Djiwandono from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, who sits on the board of trustees, will oversee the think-tank's research management team.

He, along with Mr Burhanuddin who is on the board of advisers, will advise the researchers.