House Commission XIII Criticises Government Communication Agency, Highlights Public Opinion

Deputy Chairman of House Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sugiat Santoso, has highlighted the performance of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom). Sugiat called for Bakom’s performance to be measured objectively, including through improvements in public satisfaction with the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.

Sugiat made the remarks during a working meeting with the Ministry of State Secretariat at the DPR building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (31/8/2026). He referred to the results of several surveys showing that public satisfaction with the government’s performance remains below 50%.

“I would like to make a note. So that later there is a measurable evaluation of how this government Bakom, after being given a very large budget, has succeeded in its performance objectively. I am somewhat complaining here, Sir, regarding Bakom’s performance,” said Sugiat.

He said that over the past two years, several survey institutions have measured the government’s performance based on public opinion perception. Yet, according to him, over the past two years, the Prabowo administration’s performance has actually been very good.

“There is SMRC, and just yesterday there was data from Tempo, which shows that the public satisfaction rate with the President’s performance, with the government’s performance, is below 50%,” he said.

“Whereas if we measure it using more quantitative measures related to the performance of Mr Prabowo’s government, it is actually all good, Sir,” he continued.

The Gerindra Party politician cited Indonesia’s economic growth, which he said is above 5%. In addition, he mentioned that inflation is below 3%, the budget deficit is below 3%, and investment realisation in 2026 has reached more than Rp 1,000 trillion.

However, Sugiat assessed that these achievements have not been reflected in public perception. He suspected this indicates that the government’s communication to the public has not been optimal.

“But in public opinion, that is not felt. This shows that the Government Communication Agency has not been optimal in explaining to the public, explaining to the people that Mr Prabowo Subianto’s government has actually worked very well quantitatively in the economic context, in other contexts, and so on, using very objective measures,” he explained.

Sugiat then mentioned Bakom’s budget, which will reach around Rp 1.9 trillion in 2027. He asked that the budget be accompanied by clear performance targets.

“If later in 2027 it is Rp 1.9 trillion, I hope this is conveyed to the Head of the Secretariat. Convey it later to Bang Qodari, we have given a large budget of Rp 1.9 trillion, if later in 2027 the approval rating of Mr Prabowo’s government is still 50%, it means the Government Bakom has failed,” he said.

He asked that the message be conveyed to the Head of the Government Bakom, Muhammad Qodari. Sugiat assessed that the Prabowo administration should not be disadvantaged by public perception.

“Convey it later to Mr Qodari. Because it is a pity that Mr Prabowo is treated unfairly in public opinion perception. His work is good, but what is felt by public opinion is as if everything has failed. It is a pity for Mr Prabowo. We cannot accept that, we from the Gerindra Faction,” he said.

“We also seem to be taking on the task of the Government Bakom, explaining repeatedly to the public that the facts are not like that. The facts are that job absorption is high, people’s purchasing power is still high, facts from BPS data. And I am confident and believe that the data is valid and accurate. I am confident and believe this, please convey it to Mr Qodari,” he continued.

On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of State Secretariat Bambang Eko Suhariyanto responded to Sugiat’s notes regarding the budget and performance of the Government Bakom. He assessed that an increase in budget must be accompanied by an increase in performance.

“From Gerindra, and this is also Mr Sugiat. He also conveyed about Bakom. Indeed, if there is an increase in budget, Sir, it must be balanced,” said Bambang.

“The target is at least that the survey, whose results are currently not very good, in 2027 it is actually Bakom’s responsibility to improve it,” he added.

detikcom has contacted the Government Bakom regarding the matter, but has not yet received a response.