Jakarta — Calls to stage a demonstration on May 20, 2025, which coincides with Reform Day, have raised concerns from various segments of society.
The planned protest is considered to have the potential to be exploited by foreign interests seeking to create unrest and social tension within the country.
Previously, former Commander of the National Volunteer Team for the Prabowo-Gibran campaign, Haris Rusly Moti, warned that the recent wave of student protests could be taken advantage of by foreign powers with hidden geopolitical agendas.
According to Haris, the current government is in the process of building a strong foundation for national economic sovereignty.
“The Prabowo administration, through a number of strategic policies, has laid a solid foundation to strengthen Indonesia’s economy and sovereignty. However, I fear that external parties may be attempting to create social division through provocations spread via social media,” said Haris, who is also known as a former student activist at UGM in the 1990s.
Haris believes that some student protests stem from misunderstandings regarding the government’s nationalistic and pro-people policies. He cited strategic initiatives such as Indonesia’s membership in BRICS, the establishment of Danantara and the Gold Bank, as well as the regulation mandating the repatriation of export foreign exchange (DHE).
“Some of these nationalistic policies introduced by the Prabowo government are clearly not favorable to certain groups, especially those who have benefited from the previous system,” Haris explained.
He added that while issues like budget efficiency and foreign debt management are indeed important, they can be used to stir the public by actors with specific interests.
“These are issues that social movements in Indonesia have long fought for. So if some are now protesting, it could be due to misunderstanding—or even deliberate attempts to create tension,” he added.
Meanwhile, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi also responded firmly to narratives claiming that Indonesia is in a state of “darkness.”
He argued that such statements do not reflect reality and can trigger unnecessary social unrest.
“Freedom of expression is important, but please don’t distort reality. There is no such thing as a dark Indonesia—that’s simply untrue,” Prasetyo asserted.
He urged all elements of society to remain optimistic and to give the new administration under President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka time and space to work.
“This government has only been running for a few months. Yes, there are challenges, but we are working hard to find solutions,” he stated.
Prasetyo also emphasized the importance of unity in nation-building.
“We must stay optimistic. We are all in the same boat, facing challenges together,” he said.