Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated on Friday that the nation's 5.45 percent year-on-year economic growth in the first half of 2026 marks the highest rate recorded in 13 years.”Our economy in the first half of this year achieved its highest growth in the last 13 years. Inflation remains under control, and domestic demand continues to be strong,” Prabowo said during his address on the 2027 Draft State Budget and Financial Note.According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data, on the production side, the accommodation and food service sector recorded the highest growth at 11.83 percent. Meanwhile, on the expenditure side, government consumption saw the most significant surge, growing by 18.62 percent.The president emphasized that this milestone was achieved even as the global economy faced multiple pressures. These challenges include soaring energy prices driven by ongoing conflicts, high global interest rates, exchange rate volatility affecting various nations, and geopolitical tensions disrupting international trade.Amid these challenging conditions, Prabowo highlighted the crucial role of the state budget in safeguarding the national economy.He noted that as of late July 2026, state revenue had grown by 21.3 percent yoy, while state expenditure increased by 18.2 percent.Prabowo explained that the increase in state spending was strategically directed toward maintaining public purchasing power, strengthening public services, and stimulating the domestic economy.Despite the rise in expenditure, he pointed out that the state budget deficit remained well-managed at 0.91 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).”This serves as proof that pro-people policies can go hand-in-hand with fiscal discipline,” Prabowo stated.He further stressed that the government does not view driving economic growth as contradictory to prudent fiscal management.”We choose both. We do not choose between helping the people and safeguarding the state budget. We are doing both,” Prabowo concluded.