Rocky Gerung Recounts Prabowo's Joke: 'It Turns Out Mr Rocky Is Still a Dissident'

President Prabowo Subianto shook hands with academic Rocky Gerung after the inauguration of officials at the State Palace in Jakarta. Prabowo even chatted briefly with Rocky Gerung. What did Prabowo say?

After the inauguration, Rocky Gerung revealed his conversation with Prabowo. Without going into details, Rocky Gerung only mentioned that Prabowo referred to him as still being a dissident.

‘Well, basically. With Mr Prabowo, I shook hands earlier, and Mr Prabowo is an old friend from discussions in the past. And he said, “Wow, Mr Rocky, thank you for coming, and it turns out Mr Rocky is still a dissident,” like that,’ said Rocky after the inauguration at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (27/4/2026).

Rocky noted the joking expression on Prabowo’s face when calling him a dissident. He then admitted that he indeed was one. According to the KBBI, a dissident is someone who disagrees with the opinion of a person or group.

‘But you could see his face was joking. I am indeed a dissident,’ he said.

It is known that Prabowo inaugurated six officials today. Here is the list:

1. Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat as Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency

2. Hanif Faisol Nurofiq as Deputy Minister Coordinator for Food Affairs

3. Dudung Abdurachman as Head of the Presidential Staff

4. Muhammad Qodari as Head of the Government Communication Agency

5. Hasan Nasbi as Special Advisor to the President for Communication

6. Abdul Kadir Karding as Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency.

After the inauguration, Prabowo shook hands with the new officials and their companions. After that, Prabowo appeared to shake hands with Rocky and Syahganda Nainggolan.

Prabowo appeared to smile while shaking hands with both. They seemed to chat briefly. Rocky and Syahganda appeared to laugh while talking with Prabowo. Rocky and Syahganda attended the inauguration as guests.