Cabinet Secretary: Surge of 'Expert Inflation', Yet Facts Show 96 Million Citizens Trust Prabowo More
Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya has spotlighted the phenomenon he terms ‘expert inflation’ amid the intense flow of public opinions at present. He assessed that the proliferation of emerging experts often does not align with their academic backgrounds and even delivers analyses not based on accurate data.
“There is currently one phenomenon. What is it? There is something called expert inflation. So there are many experts,” said Teddy to reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Friday (10/3/2026).
“There are rice experts but their background is not in that field, there are military experts, there are foreign experts, and those experts’ data do not match the facts, their data is incorrect. Okay,” he continued.
According to Teddy, some of them are not new experts emerging in the public space. He noted that certain groups of experts have been active in shaping public opinion since before President Prabowo Subianto took office.
“And friends, please observe that most of those experts are ones who have long tried to influence citizens, to shape public opinion, even before Mr Prabowo became president. So those experts have already influenced citizens,” said Teddy.
Nevertheless, Teddy affirmed that the level of public trust in Prabowo remains high. He stated that more than 96 million citizens have shown trust in Prabowo, compared to the views of those experts.
“But what are the facts? The facts are that more than 96 million citizens trust Mr Prabowo more, they do not trust them. Well, that is real evidence of public trust, not some assumption,” he said.
Furthermore, Teddy invited various parties to express views or criticism. However, he advised that what is conveyed should not cause anxiety in society. Teddy reminded that differences in views should still be expressed constructively.
“So I think it’s fine for us to have different views, different opinions, please give criticism, but do not give statements that lead to anxiety, making people anxious about this nation,” he said.
Teddy assured that the current national condition remains stable and under control. He invited all elements of society to maintain optimism and together build positive hopes for Indonesia’s future.
“Everything is stable, everything is under control, and yes, let us all work together to achieve the best going forward. And one more thing, we must have good hopes and prayers for this nation. Do not let us become people who instead invite others to have bad hopes and prayers for the nation we love,” he said.