Prabowo Greets Demonstrators Outside the DPR Building After Plenary Session
President Prabowo Subianto briefly greeted a peaceful demonstration outside the DPR/MPR complex. The moment occurred after Prabowo attended a plenary session at the DPR/MPR building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. During the plenary, Prabowo presented the Kerangka Ekonomi Makro (KEM) and the Kebijakan Fiskal Pokok-Pokok Kebijakan Fiskal (PPKF) for the RAPBN for the 2027 fiscal year. Prabowo left the parliamentary complex while the demonstration was still underway, appearing from his official car to climb out through the sunroof and wave to thousands gathered in front of the building. The moment drew the attention of thousands of people from across the country, who were enthusiastic about the President’s greeting.
The peaceful demonstration was organised by Tani Merdeka Indonesia in collaboration with the Asosiasi Pedagang Pasar Seluruh Indonesia (APPSI). About 3,000 participants from various regions attended the event, including farmers, market traders, micro, small and medium enterprise operators (UMKM), fishermen and other members of the public. Participants carried placards and voiced demands for a stronger people-focused economy. They argued that national economic policy should provide greater space for small actors to thrive.
Aiman Adnan, Deputy Chair of the DPN Tani Merdeka Indonesia, said that economic development must be in favour of the small, including farmers, fishermen, market traders and MSMEs. “For us, Indonesia’s economy should not benefit only large groups or a handful of people. Farmers, market traders, fishermen, MSMEs and the general public must receive equal attention and the opportunity to develop,” he said, as quoted by the President’s Media Team.
Aiman asserted that the direction of Prabowo’s economic policy aligns with the constitutional mandate, particularly Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which places the economy as a joint endeavour based on kinship and social justice. “We see the direction of the economy being pursued by the President as in line with the spirit of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, namely an economy built on the spirit of solidarity, mutual cooperation, and social justice,” he added.
The demonstrators expressed support for a people-centric economy that benefits the broader public. The role of the state was seen as important to maintain economic balance and protect small business groups from being left behind.
Tani Merdeka Indonesia and APPSI also supported government steps to curb practices that harm the public, including monopolies, cartels and price manipulation that affect farmers and market traders. Aiman stressed that such practices must not be tolerated as they can undermine the people’s economy and widen inequality.
The groups also urged stronger cooperatives and village economies. Cooperatives were seen as a means to unlock capital access, expand enterprises, and help farmers and traders obtain better markets.
Protection for farmers and market traders was also a focus. The demonstrators urged the government to stabilise farm-gate prices, improve food distribution and bolster the presence of traditional markets to raise welfare.
Tani Merdeka Indonesia and APPSI argued that national economic development must align with the values of Pancasila. Aiman noted that the people-centred economy reflects the practice of the second, third and fifth principles—humanity and civilisation, unity and social justice for all Indonesians. “Supporting the practical realisation of Pancasila values in the national economy. We view the people-centred economy as reflecting the realisation of Pancasila, particularly Principles 2, 3 and 5,” he said.
Therefore, economic development must be pursued with a spirit of justice, unity and shared prosperity. Aiman added that the support stems from the hope that national economic development will be more widely felt by the grassroots, and that policy should deliver more equitable welfare.