Capitalist Corporations Cause Poverty

SUARA NEGERI | JAKARTA — Capitalist corporations are said to be the culprits behind massive poverty in Indonesia.

This was stated by Suroto, Chairman of the Strategic Socio-Economic Cadre Association (AKSES), who is also a cooperatives expert, in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday evening, April 26, 2026.

"The cause of poverty that we can clearly see in our daily lives is corporations. Capitalist corporations, both local, national, and foreign," said Suroto.

He said that vulnerable economic groups in society, such as farmers, fishermen, and small traders, are increasingly powerless under the pressure of corporate power that controls the national economy.

"The owners of these capitalist corporations are suppressing prices for farmers, fishermen, artisans, livestock breeders, fish farmers, and small traders. They are sucking away the people's already very dry purchasing power and suppressing workers' wages," he explained.

Suroto continued, explaining that in such conditions, the government is also powerless, especially if it is comprised of people who actually side with corporations.

"Strangely, the solution is being sought from government institutions that lack ideas and are staffed by people who are part of the causes of poverty. Some of it is being done voluntarily by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with limited funding and dependent on donors from capitalist corporations that cause poverty," he concluded. (Jeane Patikawa)