Prabowo May Address Fate of Contract-Based Civil Servants in State Address

A governance expert has suggested that President Prabowo Subianto could address the issue of Contract-Based Government Employees (PPPK) during his state address on 14 August 2026. Djohermansyah Djohan, a professor at the Institute of Home Affairs Governance (IPDN), stated that while the speech is not required to mention PPPK, it would be appropriate to do so within the context of national progress, particularly regarding decentralisation, regional autonomy, and bureaucratic reform.

Djohermansyah explained that the state address typically focuses on national issues, development achievements, and calls for national unity. However, he noted that if the President highlights progress in regional development, it would be fitting to acknowledge the role of the state apparatus, including PPPK employees, in supporting those achievements. He suggested the speech could serve as a platform to announce new policies aimed at strengthening bureaucratic capacity, accelerating digital transformation, and improving employee welfare.

He also highlighted the economic pressures faced by regional civil servants due to cuts in Additional Employee Income (TPP), with some employees seeing their allowances halved from Rp6 million to Rp3 million. Djohermansyah argued that the President could use the occasion to deliver positive news regarding future government policies, particularly to address the widespread concerns among PPPK employees and regional apparatus affected by budget reductions.