Indonesian public optimism in Prabowo administration falls below half, survey shows

According to a poll by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, public confidence that Indonesia is moving in the right direction dropped to 47.7% in early October, a plunge from the 83% level recorded at President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s inauguration in October 2024. The study of 1,200 participants shows 34.3% view the nation’s trajectory as negative and 18% remain uncertain. SMRC founder Saiful Mujani attributed the shift to poor evaluations of the president’s performance and worsening macro-economic indicators, noting a strong link between dissatisfaction and the perception of a wrong direction.

He also highlighted budget-cut measures introduced in 2025, which have strained regional governments and sparked protests over centralisation and funding shortfalls. Comparisons with the mid-term of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2010, when optimism stood at about 70%, underscore the depth of the decline. Gerindra party spokesperson Bahtra Banong said the party will review the findings before responding.