Politics · Indonesia · 3 hrs ago
Indonesian optimism about Prabowo government falls to 47.7%, survey finds
A survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting found that 47.7% of Indonesians think the country is heading in the right direction.
The national survey questioned 1,200 people from October 1 to 10, 2026, under President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October 2024 with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
At that time, 83% said Indonesia was moving in the right direction, while the latest survey found 34.3% said it was moving in the wrong direction and 18% were unsure.
The positive rating has fallen below 50%, which SMRC founder Saiful Mujani called a serious warning for the government’s legitimacy.
The survey linked declining optimism to negative views of Prabowo’s performance and poor assessments of the economy, politics and law enforcement.
Discontent also includes local governments, which have protested centralized power and limited budget allocations amid cuts to fund priority programs.
Mujani urged Prabowo to take corrective action before public dissatisfaction grows into broader rejection.
A national survey found that 47.7 percent of Indonesians believe the country is moving in the right direction, down from 83 percent at President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration in October 2024.
The SMRC survey found that 34.3 percent believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, while 18 percent were unsure or did not answer.
SMRC founder Saiful Mujani said the fall below 50 percent was a serious warning for the legitimacy of state officials.
The survey linked declining optimism to negative assessments of Prabowo’s performance and worsening economic, political and law-enforcement conditions.
- Who
- Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting surveyed 1,200 respondents.
- What
- The survey found that 47.7 percent believe Indonesia is moving in the right direction.
- When
- The survey was conducted from October 1 to 10, 2026. It was reported on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Indonesia.
- Why
- The survey linked declining optimism to negative evaluations of President Prabowo’s performance and poor assessments of economic, political and law-enforcement conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Public sentiment that Indonesia was moving in the right direction stood at 83 percent when Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka were inaugurated.
Prabowo implemented budget cuts to fund priority programs, including free nutritious meals and Red and White village cooperatives.
SMRC conducted its national survey of 1,200 respondents.
The survey findings were reported, with optimism at 47.7 percent.
- Right-direction view
- 47.7 percent
- Wrong-direction view
- 34.3 percent
- Unsure or no answer
- 18 percent
- Survey sample
- 1,200 respondents
- Survey dates
- October 1–10, 2026
- Right-direction view at inauguration
- 83 percent in October 2024
What people are saying
This is a very important psychological issue. We must have support for the existence of our state and its implementation above 50 percent, because this is a very fundamental matter
So it is very clear that there is a significant relationship between the evaluation of Prabowo's performance and the opinion or assessment that we are moving in the right or wrong direction. So the key source of this is the president's performance
Now those who chose the President are also saying this government is chaotic. Indonesia is now on the brink, moving in the wrong direction
Sources
Related news
Indonesia Says It No Longer Needs Forests for Rice, but Project Future Is Unclear
Indonesia's KPK Confirms Sting Operation at Disaster Agency
Viral video does not show Mahfud MD becoming Indonesia’s attorney general
Indonesia says 486 pieces of content were restricted during August riots
Indonesia Permanently Bans Exports of Lobster Larvae
Jakarta Governor Holds Off on Ending Odd-Even Traffic Rule Until MRT Reaches Kota Tua
Hasyim and Doli trade accusations over an election regulation
Indonesia plans to upgrade more than 200 museums and cultural sites in 2026
Gibran Says Criticism Should Prompt Government Policy Reviews
Prabowo orders stronger response to fires in Indonesia
Indonesia’s new foreign minister says policy direction will stay unchanged
