Analysis: Panda Bond success tests its geopolitical balancing act
For most of his first two years in office, President Prabowo Subianto enjoyed a honeymoon that simply refused to end. Survey after survey showed him with approval numbers most world leaders can only dream of. That period has now ended. It was a long and genuinely good run, but the latest data from Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) confirm that political reality has caught up with him.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's popularity has waned significantly since the early days of his tenure, according to recent survey data from Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC). Once enjoying approval ratings as high as 81.2 percent, Prabowo now sees satisfaction with his performance at just 51.1 percent, according to a July 2026 survey conducted between July 5 and 19.
This decline, coupled with growing dissatisfaction at 46.9 percent, marks a stark contrast to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, whose approval numbers rose from 62 percent at inauguration to a peak of 81.7 percent in May 2023. Political analysts attribute Prabowo's drop in popularity to unmet promises, including efforts to curb corruption and increase GDP growth, as well as challenges such as a weak rupiah, sluggish stock market, and concerns over state spending and central bank independence.
The comparison to American presidents further highlights Prabowo's unique position, with Trump's second term beginning in January 2025 at a historically low 47 percent approval, far lower than Prabowo's current standing.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
