Government Asks Students to Support Prabowo
The Government Communication Agency (Bakom) has asked university students to support President Prabowo Subianto. Bakom chief Muhammad Qodari made the statement in response to student demonstrations held this week.
One of the protest’s demands was for the government to stop the waste of the state budget (APBN). According to Qodari, President Prabowo has, since the beginning of his administration, been focused on halting budgetary waste and improving spending efficiency.
“Regarding the students’ demands, for example concerning APBN waste, what Pak Prabowo has actually been doing is stopping waste in various sectors,” Qodari said in a written statement on Sunday, 14 June 2026.
Qodari stated that Prabowo has made savings on various spending items deemed non-urgent and non-essential since taking office. The policy, he said, has successfully saved the state budget up to around Rp 300 trillion.
Therefore, Qodari said students should support President Prabowo. “So when it comes to leaks, the President is the foremost commander. The commander in fighting leaks. Because of that, he must be supported by our student friends,” he said.
Nevertheless, Qodari considered the demands and aspirations conveyed by the students to be normal in a democratic system. He said the government is open to various inputs from the public, including from student groups.
The mass action titled “Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia”, initiated by a student alliance, previously took place on Friday, 12 June 2026. There were at least five demands in this action.
First, for the government to stop the waste of the State Budget (APBN). Second, to lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel (BBM). Third, to halt the free nutritious meal programme and the construction of the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperatives).
Fourth, the alliance also demanded an end to militarism in the civilian sphere. Lastly, they asked President Prabowo Subianto to stop deflecting and to acknowledge the government’s mistakes.