Indonesian Gov't Urges Students to Support Prabowo Amid Protests

The Indonesian government's Communication Bureau has called on students to back President Prabowo Subianto, directly addressing recent protests that have demanded an end to state budget wastage. Muhammad Qodari, head of the bureau, stated that Prabowo has been actively working to stop budget waste and improve spending efficiency since taking office.

Qodari asserted that the president has focused on cutting non-essential expenditures across various sectors, a policy he claims has saved the state budget approximately Rp 300 trillion. "So when it comes to leaks, Mr. President is the foremost commander," Qodari said in a written statement on Sunday, June 14, 2026. He urged students to support Prabowo as the "commander in the fight against leaks."

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Regarding the students' demands, such as the wastage of APBN, what Mr. Prabowo has been doing all this time is stopping wastage in various sectors.

Despite the government's defense, student protests titled "Towards Bankrupt Indonesia" occurred on Friday, June 12, 2026. Their demands included stopping budget waste, lowering prices of basic necessities and fuel, halting the free nutritious meal program and Red and White Village Cooperatives development, ending militarism in civil domains, and urging Prabowo to acknowledge government mistakes.

Qodari, however, recognized the students' demands as legitimate within a democratic framework and affirmed the government's openness to public input, including from the student community. The government's communication bureau also highlighted Prabowo's efforts in areas like the renovation of Gambir Station and referred to him as the leader of 'Reform Volume II'.

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So when it comes to leaks, Mr. President is the foremost commander. The commander in the fight against leaks. Therefore, he should be supported by student friends.