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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Indonesians mock Trump-style 'personality politics'

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has been criticized for using "personality politics" and making controversial remarks, drawing comparisons to Donald Trump.
  • He has used terms like 'londo ireng' (black Dutch) to insult critics and dismissed expert opinions, sparking backlash on social media and from media groups.
  • Analysts note a shift in his communication style towards a populist approach, relying on simple, direct, and often controversial language.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's communication style is drawing criticism and comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, as he increasingly employs what observers call "personality politics." During a recent political event, Prabowo waved printed speeches, joking they might put him to sleep and that he preferred to improvise. He assured the audience he would be "polite" before proceeding to use inflammatory language.

This is the prepared speech. Do you want me to read this speech? It could put me to sleep.

— Prabowo SubiantoThe Indonesian President joked about his prepared speech at a political event, indicating his preference for improvisation.

Prabowo referred to critics as 'londo ireng,' a Javanese term historically used for Indonesians who collaborated with Dutch colonial forces. This insult, directed at "journalists, reporters, analysts and NGOs," prompted condemnation on social media and from journalistic organizations. The Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists and other media groups labeled the comment "demeaning" and a threat to press freedom and democracy.

Today, I will be polite.

— Prabowo SubiantoAfter stating he would be polite, Prabowo proceeded to use controversial language.

This incident follows a pattern of controversial statements from the president. Previously, he advised those finding rice too expensive to "help grow it," dismissed expert critics with the phrase "ndasmu" (akin to "whatever"), and suggested the rupiah's weakness against the dollar was irrelevant to villagers. A live stream of him speaking to business leaders was reportedly cut off after he claimed Iran possessed nuclear weapons, a statement quickly rejected by Iranian diplomats.

In the past we called them 'londo ireng', those who fought alongside the Dutch against us. Those londo ireng still exist today.

— Prabowo SubiantoThe president used the historical term 'londo ireng' to insult critics, including journalists and NGOs.

Ambang Priyonggo, a media and politics academic, described Prabowo's style as a "significant transformation" from his earlier, more military-associated persona. Ahead of the 2024 election, Prabowo cultivated a grandfatherly image. However, his current presidential rhetoric, characterized by populist patterns, simple language, and directness, mirrors Trump's often spontaneous and controversial approach, leaving many to question the impact of his "wrong words" on public confidence and the economy.

demeaning and dangerous for press freedom and democracy

— Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists and other media groupsMedia groups condemned Prabowo's use of the term 'londo ireng' as demeaning and harmful to press freedom.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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