Prabowo’s popularity slides in Indonesia amid economic anxiety, policy concerns
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's approval ratings have dropped significantly as voters express concerns over household finances and the effectiveness of government social programs. Recent polling indicates a sharp rise in public dissatisfaction compared to his initial popularity.
Why it matters
The decline in support for the leader of Southeast Asia's largest economy suggests potential instability and challenges for his ambitious welfare and economic agenda.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s once-commanding approval rating has continued to slide in a new survey, as voters weigh his ambitious welfare and village-economy agenda against concerns over household finances and the government’s ability to deliver.
The poll by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) put Prabowo’s approval rating at 51.1 per cent, down from 81.2 per cent in November and 66.4 per cent in March, while dissatisfaction with his performance rose from 16 per cent in November to nearly 47 per cent in July.
Analysts said the slide reflected a disconnect between Indonesia’s still-respectable headline growth and how voters experience the economy, as worries about prices, jobs and purchasing power fuelled doubts about Prabowo’s policy priorities.
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