Prabowo: 'First Time in History' Protest Targets Efficiency Policy

February 19, 2026 | 03:17 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regrets the protests rejecting budget cuts. Prabowo conveyed this message while speaking at a business summit in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building in Washington, D.C.

In front of the forum participants, the Head of State admitted that the efficiency efforts at the beginning of his term did not go smoothly. Prabowo said the mass protests against budget cuts were the first in history. "In my opinion, it is probably the first time in world history that there is a demonstration opposing government efficiency," Prabowo said in the United States on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The Chair of the Gerindra Party expressed surprise at the motive behind the protest. He suspected that parties were funding the protests against the budget cut decision. "I don't know who paid for the demonstration, but it's quite sad," said Prabowo.

Despite facing resistance, Prabowo remains determined to continue the budget-saving policy. He also stated that he had cut inefficiencies from projects deemed unproductive. He claimed that in the first few months of his presidency, he had saved the state budget by US$18 billion or around Rp304 trillion.

Prabowo explained that savings were achieved by cutting the budget for the ministry and regional government birthday celebrations, among other things. "I suggest that birthdays should be celebrated in the office, perhaps with just a small lunch, or packed food, to maintain rationality," said Prabowo.

In addition to reducing spending on ceremonial activities, Prabowo stated that the budget for official overseas trips had been cut. Prabowo mentioned the excessive study tour agendas that led to budget wastage. "We cut the cost of foreign official trips from government institutions amounting to billions of dollars," said Prabowo.

Prabowo noted that Indonesia's efforts to improve government governance and budget efficiency are similar to the initiatives undertaken by the United States' Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "Perhaps this is similar to what is being attempted in the United States through DOGE. However, I must say that I started it a few months earlier, and I feel successful," said Prabowo.

Earlier, hundreds of students from different universities gathered to protest in the Patung Kuda area, Central Jakarta, on Monday, February 17, 2025. Titled "Dark Indonesia," the demonstration held by the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI), together with a coalition of civil society, emerged from the community's concern about the performance of the cabinet of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Some of the demands to be brought in the protest are the structural and technical efficiency of the Red and White Cabinet; pressing Prabowo to issue a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law on Asset Confiscation; rejecting revisions to the laws on the military, police, and the attorney general; a total evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meal program; free education creation; rejection of revisions to the Mining Law; the abolition of the military's dual function in the civilian sector; and police reform.

One of the student organizations that will take to the streets today is the BEM University of Indonesia (UI). They rejected the efficiency and budget cuts of ministries and agencies proposed by President Prabowo Subianto.

According to the Chair of BEM UI, Iqbal Chiesa, the policy further complicates the people's situation. "We, UI students, are concerned about the nation's current condition, with too many policies formed lavishly, and too much suffering continually felt by the Indonesian people," said Iqbal in his statement video uploaded on the official Instagram page of BEM UI on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

BEM UI demanded Prabowo to immediately revoke Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025, which was deemed unfavorable to the people. Additionally, BEM UI made several other demands, including revoking the discussion about granting mining management permits to universities and urging the prompt payment of lecturers' salaries.

Read: Prabowo Says Indonesia 'Wants More Investment' in Front of US Investors

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