Study: Democracy Group Praises Prabowo's Anti-Corruption Handling

The Executive Director of Studi Demokrasi Rakyat (SDR), Hari Purwanto, believes the public increasingly trusts that President Prabowo Subianto is serious about eradicating corruption. He brought up Prabowo’s statement about ‘the fish rotting from the head’ in relation to corruption cases recently uncovered by law enforcement.

‘He has proven this with two corruption cases we have witnessed firsthand. First, the corruption case at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Second, the alleged corruption case that ensnared the former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus),’ Hari said in a statement on Sunday (12/7/2026).

According to him, the handling of these two corruption cases is in the spotlight because it concerns the credibility of state institutions. It also relates to Prabowo’s campaign promise to improve the nutrition of Indonesian children and to enforce the law indiscriminately.

‘These two cases are a challenge and concern institutional credibility, which on one hand fulfills the president’s campaign promise regarding nutrition for the people, and on the other hand demonstrates law enforcement that is impartial,’ he stated.

Hari views the situation Prabowo is currently facing as not easy. He likened Prabowo’s position to that of a captain on a stormy sea.

‘The atmosphere for President Prabowo in leading Indonesia is likened to a captain, and the motivational words from the people for the captain at this time are that a tough captain is not born in calm seas, but is born in seas full of waves and storms,’ he said.

He assessed that Prabowo deserves appreciation for staying within institutional corridors. He asked the public to continue to oversee these corruption cases.

‘President Prabowo’s steps deserve appreciation for working within the constitutional corridor and demonstrating the art of leadership. Even though there are some individuals who exploit closeness so that the ABS (Asal Bapak Senang, or ’As Long As The Boss Is Happy’) mentality does not apply in the eyes of President Prabowo. The public must continue to oversee these two cases, so that the synergy and closeness between the President and his people are not distanced. Let the people together with the President go hand in hand to safeguard the Indonesian nation in accordance with the mandate of the Preamble to the 1956 Constitution,’ he added.