Prabowo Admits to Being a 'Micromanager', Likes Calling Ministers in the Early Hours

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President Prabowo Subianto has acknowledged that his leadership style tends towards being detail-oriented or a ‘micromanager’. He also stated that he often contacts his ministers at unusual times.

This was revealed at the Japan-Indonesia Business Forum in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday (30/3/2026), attended by businesspeople from Indonesia and Japan, as well as representatives from both governments.

Prabowo said that he is a ‘hands-on manager’ or a leader who is actively involved directly in daily operations with his team.

“My ministers call me a micromanager. Yes, I admit, I am indeed a micromanager,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo stated that he can contact his ministers in the early hours, around 2:00-5:00 a.m. Western Indonesia Time, to inquire about work, such as the prices of staple goods.

Nevertheless, Prabowo admitted to starting to feel guilty about this leadership style. This is because he has received reports that several ministers and senior officials have experienced fatigue to the point of needing medical treatment.

“I feel a bit guilty, because some of my ministers have fainted in public, and sometimes I get reports of senior officials being hospitalised. Why? Heart problems,” he said.

On that occasion, Prabowo also stated that the current government is working to remove investment barriers and carry out deregulation to eliminate irrational regulations. This forms the basis for the government to establish a task force (satgas) for debottlenecking.

This task force is responsible for handling business and investment obstacles. Prabowo said that every company in Indonesia, whether foreign or domestic, that feels it is facing delays, administrative hurdles, or even harmful practices or harassment, can report directly to that task force.