Prabowo Criticises Commentators Lacking Patriotic Stance: Perhaps Because They Feel Defeated, Have No Power

JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto has criticised political commentators who frequently criticise and express pessimism about Indonesia’s economic condition amid conflicts in the Middle East, which he says causes public anxiety.

He views such commentators’ attitudes as unpatriotic and indicative of narrow thinking.

Prabowo made these remarks during a full cabinet session at the State Palace, Jakarta presidential complex, on Friday (13 March 2026).

“There are various types of commentators in my view. Some commentators dislike their own government succeeding for various motivations. But in my view, their attitude is narrow-minded, not patriotic,” Prabowo said on Friday.

He suggested some commentators were driven by those who felt they had lost illicit income through corruption.

“They feel disadvantaged by our administration,” Prabowo stated.

He then remarked that commentators who only seek to undermine would eventually be disciplined. Prabowo claimed to possess intelligence data and know who finances the critics.

“I have intelligence data, you see. Previously I was outside government, now I am President. So every day I receive intelligence reports. Therefore I understand, I already know who finances them. In due course we will discipline all of that,” he explained.

However, for now he merely wanted to convince the public with concrete evidence.

“Currently I am still trying through convincing methods. I believe with evidence-based approach, with facts, our people will understand,” Prabowo concluded.

“So some commentators, in my view, are motivated to create public anxiety. I also do not understand their thinking. Because we are all on one ship, this one nation. If the ship tilts, they also tilt,” he added.