Qodari: Prabowo is the Leader of Reformasi Jilid II
Head of the Government Communication Body (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Qodari, has stated that President Prabowo Subianto is the leader of Reformasi Jilid II. This statement was made in response to the echo of ‘Reformasi Jilid II’ during a protest by thousands of students and other members of the public at the Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta on Friday (12/6).
‘I want to place this in its true context. Pak Prabowo is the leader of Reformasi Jilid II. I repeat: The leader of Reformasi Jilid II,’ Qodari said during a discussion programme on CNNIndonesia TV on Friday evening.
Qodari explained that this assessment is based on Prabowo’s actions to reform the economic structure. He said Prabowo is currently striving to ensure that economic benefits and profits are no longer enjoyed solely by certain elites. ‘What Pak Prabowo is doing now is reforming Indonesia’s economic structure; a structure that previously only benefited the elite, a structure that allowed certain elites to embezzle state funds. That is being corrected by Pak Prabowo,’ he added.
Qodari described Prabowo’s actions as very courageous, highlighting the investigation into alleged corruption in crude oil and refinery product management at Pertamina for the 2018-2023 period, as well as the enforcement actions in forest areas by the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force. ‘Pak Prabowo is a leader of reform and change. It is not called Reformasi Jilid II, but a national transformation strategy. That is what Pak Prabowo is working on right now. What more are you looking for?’ Qodari remarked. ‘This is a leader who consistently and concretely carries out the desired changes. Pak Prabowo is the one making very radical changes,’ he continued.
Meanwhile, Ubedilah Badrun, a lecturer at the State University of Jakarta (UNJ), dismissed this assessment. According to him, Prabowo fits the type of a kakistocracy leader. Simply put, kakistocracy is a form of government run by incompetent, unworthy, or immoral individuals. ‘It is proven by the several cabinet reshuffles and the fact that corruption is still rampant,’ Ubed said. He stressed that it is inaccurate to call Prabowo the leader of Reformasi Jilid II.
Ubed acknowledged that Prabowo is free to undertake what he considers major initiatives. However, he reminded that the will of the students, which is far greater as reflected in today’s demonstration demands, should be properly considered. ‘Because they are the generation that will experience the future of this Republic. They are the generation that is truly the victim of the actions of a power that harms their generation,’ he stated. ‘So, the students’ deep concerns lead them to think there needs to be a fundamental change, which they call Reformasi Jilid II. It is not as Bung Qodari explained. That is merely Prabowo’s effort to address one issue, while other issues remain unaddressed,’ Ubed continued.
On that day, students and citizens staged a protest in Jakarta, with the centre of the action at the Bundaran HI on Jalan Sudirman, Central Jakarta. They brought several demands, including urging the government to stop wasting the state budget, lower the prices of staple goods and fuel, halt the Free Nutritious Meals programme and the construction of the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, stop militarism in civilian spheres, and for Prabowo to stop evading responsibility and admit the government’s mistakes.