Prabowo begins third year with tighter grip as public support slips
Discontent among ordinary Indonesians appears to be growing after two years of the Prabowo presidency, which has maintained, if not expanded, the loyalist camp through serial reshuffling at the cost of governance and tangible policy outcomes addressing real concerns.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has marked his third year in office with a tightening grip on power, despite a shrinking base of public support. Initially elected on a wave of optimism, Prabowo promised to turbocharge economic growth and roll out social programs to benefit the common man. However, as the five-year term nears its halfway point, his popularity has plummeted.
A recent survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) revealed that Prabowo's approval rating plummeted to 44.5 percent, down from a high of 81.2 percent in November 2025. Dissatisfaction with his tenure surged to 53.4 percent, the lowest level since the 1998 reform movement.
The drop in public favor stems from several issues, including rising living costs, rampant corruption, and the perceived failures of Prabowo's flagship programs. The free nutritious meal and Red and White Cooperatives programs, in particular, have faced criticism due to their hefty budgets, recurring food poisoning incidents, and allegations of graft. Despite efforts to restructure and manage these programs more effectively, public trust remains low.
Prabowo's recent decision to appoint Sudaryono, a long-time Gerindra Party politician, to lead the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) serves as a recent example of his attempts to shore up support. This decision marks the second leadership change at the agency overseeing the free meal initiative, reflecting the government's ongoing struggles to address key issues while maintaining public confidence.
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.
