Prabowo Addresses Alleged Masterminds Behind 27 August Unrest

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has responded to questions regarding intelligence reports submitted to him concerning the alleged intellectual actors behind the riots on 27 August.

He made these remarks while inviting several editors-in-chief and observers to his residence in Hambalang, Bogor Regency, West Java, recently. Prabowo initially stated that corruption must be eradicated from the Indonesian soil, noting that such efforts would undoubtedly face resistance from corrupt individuals.

During the discussion, participant Rivana Pratiwi asked whether these corrupt actors might be resisting and acting as the masterminds behind the recent unrest. “Yes, so I have stated that Indonesia will be safe if we can eradicate corruption; clearly, corruptors will not like that, right?” Prabowo said during the forum, which is part of the ‘President Prabowo Answers’ programme, on Friday (18/9).

“Does this mean they are the ones mobilising the masses, Sir? Those who wish to destabilise the situation?” Rivana countered.

“Something like that,” Prabowo replied, responding to the question posed to him.

Prabowo also mentioned that he had received information regarding alleged fund flows behind the riots. He claimed that minors had been deceived by certain individuals to instigate chaos. He noted that several of these children had admitted to being promised certain incentives.

“If we gather those children, they admit they were paid Rp100,000, promised Rp200,000, told to do this and that, and some were even given drugs and so on,” said the General Chairman and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Gerindra Party.

During the session, Prabowo was also questioned regarding the alleged involvement of political opponents in the unrest. However, he did not provide a definitive answer. He merely stated that if the government intends to eradicate drugs, drug mafias will not remain silent and will certainly fight back.

He admitted that the government is currently hunting for the intellectual actors behind the riots and claimed that they have begun to find a breakthrough. “We are moving in that direction,” he said.