Bakom: Prabowo Is Open to Criticism and Differing Views

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Head of the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom), Syahganda Nainggolan, said President Prabowo Subianto was open to criticism and differing views in discussions, including from people within his administration.

Speaking on the Press Council podcast “Joining the Government, Syahganda Opens Himself to Criticism” with Press Council Chairman Komaruddin Hidayat, Syahganda said in remarks cited in Jakarta on Monday that, based on his experience, Prabowo had no objection to receiving input or hearing opposing views in direct discussions.

He cited his experience of putting forward arguments to Prabowo concerning efforts to secure the release of activist Delpedro Marhaen, who was detained after the August 2025 riots.

“I debated him and he eventually accepted it. When he put forward his argument, I thought the President might have got some details slightly wrong, because he was not involved in it,” Syahganda said.

According to Syahganda, Prabowo enjoys being drawn into discussions and having his views challenged.

He said he continued to express disagreement on various occasions when meeting Prabowo, including by asking permission before putting forward his views.

“If there is a discussion, I don’t want to stay silent. Especially as activists, we are people who are not afraid to ask questions,” he said.

Syahganda added that Prabowo was committed to democracy, having spent many years building a political party and taking part in political contests.

In his view, this experience showed that Prabowo allowed democracy to function and continued to uphold civilian government.

“I think he is providing an opportunity for democracy to be maintained to this day. He emphasises the civilian character of government, rather than the return to the New Order era that people fear, when civilian government disappeared,” he added.

He said public criticism and a balance of power were important parts of democracy. Input, including strong criticism, was necessary to help the government review and improve its policies.