Prabowo said the government is committed to listening to genuine aspirations from the people, promising to record and follow up on their demands.
He made the remarks after meeting several political party leaders and heads of state institutions at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday.
The President stressed that his government respects freedom of expression as guaranteed in Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as Indonesia’s Law Number 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression.
He underlined that all forms of peaceful public expression must be respected and the right to peaceful assembly protected.
“Aspirations can be conveyed peacefully. However, acts of anarchy, attempts to destabilize the state, destruction of public facilities, arson, casualties, threats, or looting of public and private property are violations of the law. The state must act to protect its citizens,” Prabowo said.
He also emphasized that the state must be present to protect its people.
“Security officers must safeguard the public and protect facilities built with public funds. They must also enforce the law if there are violations that threaten the wider community,” he added.
Prabowo further ordered the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to take firm action against acts of vandalism and looting.
“I instruct the police and TNI to act firmly against any damage to public facilities and looting of homes, public spaces, or economic centers, in accordance with the law,” he said.
Among those attending the meeting were former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, People’s Consultative Assembly Speaker Ahmad Muzani, House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani, Regional Representative Council Speaker Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, and representatives of government coalition parties.
After delivering his remarks, Prabowo chaired a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office, followed by a press conference by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, joined by Armed Forces Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Muhammad Ali, and Air Force Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono.
Related news: President Prabowo urges legislators to prioritize public interests
Related news: Prabowo vows to hear public demands, defend free expression
Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Andi Firdaus, Martha Herlinaw
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
