Qodari Explains Prabowo's Intent on Disciplining Observers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom), Muhammad Qodari, explained the intent behind President Prabowo Subianto’s remarks regarding the need to discipline unpatriotic observers.

“Once again, I clarify: what is to be disciplined are not the observers, but the mafias and corruptors,” Qodari said during the Satu Meja The Forum programme on Kompas TV on Wednesday night (29/4/2026).

Qodari stated that the President’s statement must be read in sequence.

“So the word ‘disciplined’ comes not after ‘observers’, but after ‘mafia and corruptors’,” Qodari said.

He gave an example: when discussing economic issues, Prabowo intensively consults with economists Chatib ‘Dede’ Basri and Muhammad Faisal.

“And that simultaneously answers, for instance, the notion ‘oh, the President just wants it his way or the President is not open to suggestions and input’,” Qodari said.

Prabowo’s statement, believed to be about disciplining observers, was made during a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Friday (13/3/2026).

The former Minister of Defence assessed that the observers’ attitude is driven by their feeling of defeat and current lack of power.

“Or there are parties who have lost their livelihood, especially thieves and corruptors, who naturally feel at a loss with our government; we want to discipline them. So I have intelligence data, right,” said Prabowo.

However, for now, he only wants to persuade the public with concrete evidence.

“Now I am still trying with convincing methods. I believe in evidence-based approaches; with proof, our people will understand,” he said.