Prabowo Claims Protests Are Paid, PKB Urges Government to Evaluate Policies

The Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Central Board, Daniel Johan, has responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s statement claiming he knows the parties financing recent demonstrations. Daniel expressed hope that the government would focus more on policy evaluation.

“Public aspirations conveyed through constitutional channels are an inseparable part of our democratic life, guaranteed by the constitution, and a manifestation of concern for the nation’s condition,” Daniel told reporters on Friday (26/6/2026).

“The danger is when the people no longer care about the nation’s condition. Various views developing within society, both supporting and criticising government policies, are normal dynamics in a democratic system,” he added.

Regarding the alleged existence of parties orchestrating the demonstrations, Daniel urged that the matter be addressed proportionally. According to him, what is more important now is listening to the substance of the demands conveyed by the public and using them as material for policy evaluation.

“Therefore, what is more important is listening to the substance of the aspirations conveyed so they can become material for evaluation and refinement of policies. Regarding the alleged existence of parties orchestrating the demonstrations, it should be handled proportionally,” he stated.

Daniel stressed that if there are policies that face widespread rejection from the public, the government needs to conduct an evaluation and make improvements.

“What is more important and urgent is policy evaluation. If there are policies that face widespread rejection from the people, then the government’s duty is to listen, evaluate, and improve the existing policies,” he said.

Furthermore, Daniel assessed that this momentum could be utilised to strengthen communication between the government and the public. With openness and a willingness to listen to each other, various inputs from the public can become positive energy in improving the quality of policies.

“This momentum can be a good opportunity to strengthen communication and dialogue between the government and the public. With openness and a willingness to listen to each other, various inputs from the public can become positive energy in improving the quality of policies and strengthening public trust in the government,” he said.

“We support the creation of a healthy democratic climate, where the government and the public can build constructive communication for the interests of the nation and state,” he concluded.

Prabowo previously touched on several matters in his speech at the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen’s Week (Penas) in Gorontalo on Wednesday (24/6), including the demonstrations occurring in several regions recently. Prabowo said he knew the actors behind these demonstrations.

Prabowo stated that these parties do not like him. He asserted that he knows the corrupt individuals.

“Polite but still thieves, polite but corrupt. Pretending to be rich, pretending to have lots of money. When the money is stolen from the people. I have been an Indonesian for a long time, I know all of that, brothers and sisters. They don’t like Prabowo because Prabowo understands,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo indicated that these parties were also involved in providing payments for the recent protests. He warned these parties.

“Brothers and sisters. Be careful, you know. I give them a warning. I know who pays for the demonstrations, I know that. But it’s okay, go ahead and demonstrate. Ask the demonstrators, they don’t understand. What do you want to demonstrate about, huh? Hmmm… we were paid Rp 200,000, like that, right. But it exists. I don’t understand,” he said.