President Prabowo warns wealthy interests seeking to buy Indonesia’s democracy

At a ceremony marking the National Mandate Party’s 28th anniversary, President Prabowo Subianto warned that major economic powers are attempting to hijack Indonesia’s democracy by buying influence with large, sometimes illegal, sums of money. He said these actors bribe high-ranking officials, including judges, prosecutors, military generals, ministers and even the president himself. Prabowo also accused them of running coordinated social-media attacks, employing buzzers and bots to spread disinformation and tarnish reputations.

He noted that similar threats are being felt in other countries, describing it as a new form of warfare that does not require troops. The president concluded by thanking loyal political figures and stressing the coalition’s responsibility to implement government programs for the benefit of all citizens.