Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s inaugural year in office has been overshadowed by widespread public discontent and a crisis in his signature policy initiative. Protests erupted across the country over rising living costs and parliamentary perks, while thousands of children fell ill from food poisoning after consuming free school lunches, casting doubt on the government’s ability to deliver on its populist promises.
The unrest began in August when demonstrations broke out against a housing allowance for members of parliament that was nearly 20 times the monthly minimum wage in some regions. The protests intensified after the death of a rideshare driver struck by a police vehicle during a rally in Jakarta, leading to broader calls for democratic and economic reforms. At least 10 people were killed in clashes nationwide, and police have since detained hundreds of activists and students, with 959 arrests reported since August. Families of detainees, such as Ahmad Faiz Yusuf and Delpedro Marhaen, are demanding their release, alleging unfair treatment and a narrowing of civil space.
Simultaneously, Prabowo’s ambitious free school meals program, which aims to address child malnutrition and stimulate the economy at an annual cost of $28 billion, has been marred by mass food poisonings. More than 9,000 children have fallen ill since the scheme’s rollout in January, with images of weak, dehydrated children hooked to intravenous drips sparking public outrage. Critics question the program’s effectiveness and oversight, especially given Indonesia’s logistical challenges in delivering safe meals across its vast archipelago of 6,000 inhabited islands, where proper refrigeration and food safety standards are difficult to enforce.
Prabowo has defended the program, noting that Brazil took 11 years to reach 47 million beneficiaries while Indonesia has served 30 million in 11 months. He ordered stricter food safety measures and downplayed the poisoning cases as a tiny fraction of total beneficiaries. However, health-focused NGOs are calling for a moratorium, and mothers’ groups have protested at government offices, expressing disgust at what they see as a lack of empathy from the administration. Ririn Sefsani of Mother’s Voice Indonesia criticized the president’s response, highlighting a perceived disconnect from public concerns.
Economically, Prabowo faces mounting pressures despite steady growth of around 5%. His target of 8% annual growth by 2029 appears ambitious amid slowing global demand, rising tariffs on exports to the U.S., and competition from regional neighbors like Vietnam and Malaysia. The abrupt sacking of respected finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has rattled investors, and foreign companies complain of red tape, though the government points to recent trade deals with the European Union as positive steps. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto remains optimistic, citing deregulation efforts and potential from a new sovereign wealth fund.
The crackdown on protesters has drawn parallels to Indonesia’s authoritarian past under former President Suharto, Prabowo’s former father-in-law. Human rights organizations note that the current situation feels like a return to the New Order era, with activists held on charges such as incitement or spreading false information. Andrie Yunus of KontraS described it as stepping into a ‘time tunnel,’ with unresolved historical human rights violations resurfacing in public consciousness. Maria Sumarsih, whose son was killed in 1998 protests, echoed concerns about a militaristic government silencing critics.
Public dissatisfaction is particularly high among young voters who supported Prabowo’s rebrand as a cuddly grandfather figure. Exit polls showed strong Gen Z support, but many now regret their choice due to unfulfilled job promises and perceived government priorities. About 16% of young people are unemployed, and fresh graduates are turning to the gig economy, highlighting the gap between campaign rhetoric and reality. Bhima Yudhistira of CELIOS emphasized that youth expectations from the campaign are not being met, fueling further discontent.
As Prabowo marks one year in office, the dual crises of social unrest and policy failures underscore the challenges of governing Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The government must balance ambitious growth targets with public accountability, address food safety issues, and navigate international trade tensions. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Prabowo can regain public trust and steer Indonesia toward his vision of dynamic economic growth and social change, amid calls for justice and systemic reforms.