Ganjar Responds to Prabowo: Not All Protests Should Be Considered Paid

PDI-P Central Board Chairman Ganjar Pranowo has responded to President Prabowo Subianto, who claimed to know the parties funding recent protest actions. Ganjar stated that not all demonstrations are paid actions.

“He already knows, so he can address it. PDI Perjuangan respects the President’s statements wherever he delivers them. We always follow them closely, including the public response. If there are indeed parties financing demonstrations, it would be better to disclose them to the public and process them legally,” Ganjar said when contacted on Thursday (25/6/2026).

He assessed that democracy requires certainty, not allegations that lead to public polemics. Therefore, he stressed that one cannot label all protests as being financed.

“We need to convey that democracy requires legal certainty, not mere allegations or narratives that ultimately become public polemics,” he said. “However, we also must not consider all demonstrations as paid actions. Facts on the ground show the issues are far more complex.”

Furthermore, Ganjar highlighted the protest by UBK students who eventually admitted to being paid, as well as other actions. Ganjar also expressed hope that the government would focus on fulfilling political promises such as 19 million jobs, 8 percent economic growth, and improving teacher welfare.

“The people are still waiting for wider job opportunities, at least 19 million new jobs and a reduction in layoffs. The people are also waiting for the 8 percent economic growth target that was once presented as a policy direction. The benefits of this will surely be felt by the people,” he said.

In the education sector, Ganjar touched on the issue of education costs, including tuition fees. According to him, ensuring these promises are fulfilled is far more important than accusing protests of being paid.

“Ultimately, a government’s legitimacy is not measured by the number of demonstrations, but by how many political promises can be realised in the daily lives of the people. If welfare improves, jobs are created, education becomes more affordable, and public services improve, then public trust will grow naturally. Democracy does not need to be fought with narratives; democracy is answered with performance. We support it with prayers,” Ganjar explained.

President Prabowo addressed several matters in his speech at the Peak of the XVII National Farmers and Fishermen’s Week in Gorontalo on Wednesday (24/6), including the recent demonstrations in various regions. Prabowo said he knew the actors behind these protests.

Prabowo stated that these parties do not like him. He asserted that he knows corrupt individuals.

“Polite but still thieves, polite but corrupt. Pretending to be rich, pretending to have lots of money. But the money is stolen from the people. I have been an Indonesian for a long time, I know all of them. They don’t like Prabowo because Prabowo understands,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo mentioned that these parties are involved in paying for the recent protests. He issued a warning to them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, be careful. I am giving them a warning. I know who pays for the protests, I know that. But it’s okay, go ahead and protest. When asked, the protesters don’t understand. What do you want to protest? Hmm… we were paid Rp 200,000, like that. But it exists. I don’t understand,” he said.