Jakarta, September 01, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto has directed ministries and state institutions to remain open to public delegates, criticism, and input in order to improve the quality of public services and institutional performance.
Speaking after a meeting with political party leaders and heads of state institutions at the Merdeka Palace on Sunday, Prabowo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to listening to genuine public aspirations, pledging that demands would be properly recorded and followed up.
The President emphasized that his administration respects freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in Indonesia’s Law No. 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression. He stressed that peaceful expression and assembly must be fully protected.
“Aspirations can be conveyed peacefully. However, acts of anarchy, attempts to destabilize the state, destruction of public facilities, arson, casualties, threats, or looting of public and private property are violations of the law. The state must act to protect its citizens,” Prabowo stated.
Underscoring the government’s responsibility, he noted that security officers must safeguard both the people and public facilities, while enforcing the law against violations that endanger the wider community.
The President further instructed the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to act decisively against vandalism and looting. “I instruct the police and TNI to act firmly against any damage to public facilities and looting of homes, public spaces, or economic centers, in accordance with the law,” he said.
Among those present at the Merdeka Palace meeting were former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, People’s Consultative Assembly Speaker Ahmad Muzani, House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani, Regional Representative Council Speaker Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, and representatives of coalition parties.
Following his address, President Prabowo chaired a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office. Later, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin held a press conference, accompanied by Armed Forces Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Muhammad Ali, and Air Force Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono.
