On "Inflation of Observers", Habiburokhman: We Follow Up on Good Criticism

Jakarta - Deputy General Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Habiburokhman, stated that criticism of the government must not be generalised as something negative. According to him, good criticism for the government should be followed up, but bad criticism should be responded to with education for the public so as not to poison democracy. “We follow up on good criticism, while bad criticism we address with education to the people so that it does not become poison for democracy,” said Habiburokhman in a press release on Monday (13/4/2026). He believes there are parties who claim to be critics but spread black propaganda, lies, and hatred. “Their motive could simply be to seize power, either through constitutional or unconstitutional means,” Habiburokhman said. This Chairman of Commission III of the DPR claimed that the government of President Prabowo Subianto has already followed up on many constructive criticisms. Habiburokhman then alluded to calls to topple President Prabowo Subianto, which he believes need to be criticised. He assessed that the political cost would be too high if any party wanted to seize power unconstitutionally. Habiburokhman reminded that Prabowo, as president, at least has five years to fulfil his political promises and can be evaluated by the people in the 2029 Presidential Election. Habiburokhman is convinced that Prabowo is a figure committed to upholding democracy. “That is why, to this day, after nearly 1.5 years of President Prabowo in power, no Indonesian citizen has been punished for criticising or even insulting President Prabowo,” he said. Previously, the term “inflation of observers” was mentioned by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.