Indonesian Government Body Asks Students to Support President Prabowo Amid Protests

Indonesia's government communication body, Bakom, has called on students to support President Prabowo Subianto, directly addressing recent protests that have voiced concerns about government spending and economic policies. Muhammad Qodari, the head of Bakom, stated that the president has been actively working to curb budget waste and enhance the efficiency of state expenditures since taking office.

Qodari asserted that Prabowo's administration has implemented savings across various non-essential spending areas, which he claims have resulted in approximately Rp 300 trillion in national savings. He positioned the president as a leader in combating financial leakage, urging students to lend their support to these efforts. "So if it's about leakage, the President is the foremost commander. The commander in fighting leakage. Therefore, he must be supported by the students," Qodari stated in a written release on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

These remarks come in response to a protest movement, dubbed "Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia," initiated by a student alliance. The demonstrations, which took place earlier in the week, presented at least five key demands. These included calls for the government to cease wasting the state budget (APBN), reduce the prices of essential goods and fuel, and halt specific government programs like free nutritious meals and the "Koperasi Desa Merah Putih" initiative.

The students also demanded an end to militarism within civilian domains and urged President Prabowo to acknowledge government mistakes rather than evade responsibility. Despite the criticisms, Qodari acknowledged the legitimacy of student demands within a democratic system, stating that the government remains open to public input.