Poltracking Survey: Prabowo-Gibran Approval Rating High, Pro-People Programmes Need Strengthening

Public trust in the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka remains solid at 75.1%. This high level of confidence is supported by various pro-people programmes, one of which is the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG). The Poltracking Indonesia survey for the period 2-8 March 2026 shows that of the 88% of the public aware of the MBG programme, 55% expressed satisfaction. Nevertheless, there are several notes that need to be addressed by the government to make this programme more aligned with public expectations. “The MBG programme has become one of the catalysts for high public satisfaction. However, to keep this support stable, the government needs to implement a structured and tactical communication strategy,” said Poltracking Indonesia researcher Ahmad Zia Fitrahudin during the release of the National Survey titled ‘Evaluation of Government Performance & Prabowo-Gibran Priority Programmes’ on the Poltracking TV YouTube channel, quoted on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. “The application of policy based on logical reasoning (Logical Reasoning Policy) is necessary at every stage of the MBG programme. From the procurement process, food distribution, to determining beneficiaries, everything must be explainable with solid data and logic. The transparency of this policy thinking process is the main key to gaining the trust of critical demographic groups,” he continued. The communication strategy also needs to be built openly and proactively by involving various elements of society. Public involvement in the process is believed to foster a sense of belonging towards the ongoing programme. “Through progressive constructive communication, the government must move away from the ‘test the water’ communication pattern that seems reactive,” he stated. According to Poltracking Indonesia researcher Yoki Alvetro, the public’s response to MBG is generally quite positive. He noted that direct experiences of the community greatly influence satisfaction levels, although overall the programme’s impact is considered significant. He added that the MBG programme has become one of the policies that most attracts public attention because 88% of the public claim to know about it. This high level of recognition is believed to further strengthen the policy’s impact in the midst of society. Nevertheless, he continued, challenges in the programme’s implementation still exist. This is reflected in the 35.8% of respondents who stated they are not yet satisfied. This variation in assessments becomes a crucial note for the government’s future evaluation.