Prabowo Accuses Foreign Powers of Funding NGOs to Sow Discord in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has accused foreign parties of funding non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in an effort to stir division within Indonesia. He made the statement during his speech at the Pancasila Day commemoration held at the Pancasila Building in Central Jakarta on June 2, 2025.

Prabowo urged Indonesians to remain united and to avoid conflicts driven by differences. According to him, foreign powers benefit from internal discord and do not wish to see Indonesia advance.

"For hundreds of years they have come, for hundreds of years they have sown discord among us, until now. With their money, they fund NGOs to sow discord among us. They claim to be upholders of democracy, human rights, freedom of the press, when in fact, those are their own versions," Prabowo said.

Despite the strong claims, Prabowo clarified that his intention was not to provoke suspicion toward foreign nations. He stressed that Indonesia must stand firm and not allow itself to be influenced or manipulated by any external force.

This is not the first time Prabowo has voiced concerns over foreign interference. Earlier in his presidency, he suggested that protests in various regions were influenced by outside actors.

"Just pay attention, were those protests pure or were they paid for? We need to be objective," he said during an interview with six senior journalists at his residence in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on April 8, 2025.

He also warned of the potential presence of foreign agents exploiting unrest for their own gain. "In managing a country, we must be cautious, whether there are foreign powers who want to sow discord. This is common practice," Prabowo added.

Recent demonstrations by civil and student groups across Indonesia have drawn national attention. These protests oppose the newly passed revision of the TNI Law by the House of Representatives.

Opposition to the revised law remains strong. Protesters have even set up tents outside the Pancasila Gate of the House of Representatives Building in Jakarta. Similar demonstrations have been held in cities including Padang, Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Makassar.

Critics argue that the revision process was rushed and lacked meaningful public input. Many fear that the revised law could allow military personnel to occupy civilian posts, prompting calls for the military to remain within its designated role.

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