Jusuf Kalla: More than 50% of Indonesia's economy is controlled by ethnic Chinese

Jusuf Kalla: More than 50% of Indonesia's economy is controlled by ethnic Chinese

The 10th and 12th former Vice President (Wapres) of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK) alluded to the issue of the Indonesian economy, which is controlled by more than 50 percent of the ethnic Chinese population. In fact, ethnic Chinese in Indonesia are no more than 5 percent. 

"We in Indonesia, the Chinese population is only 4.5 percent but more than 50 percent control the economy. So the strength is 10 times the number," said JK in the halalbihalal event held by the Association of Indonesian Muslim Scholars (ICMI) at the Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta, Friday (12/5/2023) evening. 

Jusuf Kalla also gave an example of a neighboring country, namely Malaysia, where 30 percent of the total Chinese population controls 60 percent of the country's economy. 

"Malaysia too. But Malaysia is indeed a 30 percent Chinese population. So if 60 percent of Malaysia's economy is controlled by Chinese, that's only 1 to two," he said. 

JK said the lack of Indonesian citizens who became entrepreneurs was a big problem. "Of course (the ethnic Chinese) are our friends, it's important that they work to pay taxes, they employ people. But the biggest challenge lies with us. They are not wrong for our shortcomings," he said. 

"Because that's actually our biggest challenge today. Is entrepreneurship. It's not just science. All here are scholars," he said. 

Jusuf Kalla: Lebih dari 50% Ekonomi RI Dikuasai Etnis Tionghoa

Mantan Wakil Presiden (Wapres) Republik Indonesia Ke-10 dan Ke-12, Jusuf Kalla (JK) menyinggung soal ekonomi Indonesia yang 50 persen lebih dikuasai oleh penduduk etnis Tionghoa. Padahal, etnis Tionghoa di Indonesia tak lebih dari 5 persen.

"Kita di Indonesia penduduk Tionghoa itu hanya 4,5 persen tapi mengusai ekonomi lebih dari 50 persen. Jadi kekuatan 10 kali lipat dari pada jumlahnya," kata JK dalam acara halalbihalal yang diadakan oleh Ikatan Cendikiawan Muslim Indonesia (ICMI) di Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, Jumat (12/5/2023) malam.

Jusuf Kalla juga mencontohkan negara tetangga, yaitu Malaysia yang 30 persen total penduduk Tionghoanya menguasai 60 persen ekonomi negara.

"Malaysia juga. Tapi Malaysia memang penduduk Tionghoa itu 30 persen. Jadi kalau ekonomi Malaysia 60 persen dikuasai Tionghoa, itu hanya 1 banding dua," kata dia.

JK menyebut minimnya warga Indonesia yang menjadi pengusaha menjadi masalah besar. "Tentu (etnis Tionghoa) sahabat-sahabat kita, penting kerjanya bayar pajak, dia pekerjakan orang. Tapi tantanan terbesarnya ada di kita. Mereka tidak salah yang kurang kita," tuturnya.

"Karena itu tantangan kita yang terbesar sebenrnya pada dewasa ini. Adalah entrepreneurship. Bukan hanya ilmu saja. Semua di sini perilmuan cendikiawan," kata dia.