HumasUPNVJ - Special Staff of the Minister of Finance for Strategic Communication Yustinus Prastowo was present as one of the speakers in the Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) activity for the 2024/2025 Academic Year at Tennis Indoor Senayan Jakarta, Monday, August 12, 2024.

Carrying the theme of Financial Literacy to Increase National Defense Awareness, Yustinus provides an overview and general knowledge about the economy in national life.

Yustinus discussed the national economy at the beginning of his speech, and related it to the general perception of debt. According to him, many people tend to have a negative perception when they hear the word debt.

In fact, according to him, debt can boost productivity if it is used properly. In the context of a country, debt can also boost national economic growth.

"Indonesia's economic growth in the second quarter, last month, could grow above 5 percent. This happened when other countries were even struggling to be positive, we even grew 5 percent," said Yustinus in front of more than 4,300 UPNVJ students.

"China and Korea cannot grow above 5 percent. We should be grateful for this. Our trade balance is also still in surplus. This means that our exports are still higher than imports," he continued.

An Increasingly Connected Economy

Yustinus said that Indonesia's inflation rate is also low at 2.13 percent, which means that the increase in the price of basic necessities can be controlled. "That is also something to be grateful for," said Yustinus.

Still on the economy, Yustinus said this crucial field has become increasingly connected in the era of technology and information. He gave the example of the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh some time ago, the impact of which was even felt in Indonesia.

When Haniyeh was declared dead, Yustinus continued, oil prices immediately rose. This shows that the economy is very low in political influence.

"Even though the incident occurred in the Middle East, the impact was felt here. This is because the economy is increasingly connected," he said.

Tax for Development

Yustinus also discussed taxes as one of the components of a country's economy. He said that the progress of a country is also influenced by its tax sector.

The higher the tax revenue, the higher the budget allocation for various needs, including development, said Yustinus.

"By paying taxes, citizens can control the government. Because they have paid taxes, citizens can sue the government," Yustinus said.

"We must strengthen our tax revenues, so that control over the government is also stronger. We can demand the government to realize various things," he continued.

At the end of his speech, Yustinus invited all UPNVJ students to help the government promote a tax awareness campaign. He also invited all elements of society to monitor the process, so that the allocation is higher and the potential for misappropriation can be suppressed.

"UPNVJ as a state university deserves stronger support from the government," said Yustinus.

"I pray for your success. From UPN for a better Indonesia," he concluded.