Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING): President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday pledged the government’s commitment to listening to public demands and upholding freedom of expression, amid growing unrest across Indonesia.
“To all Indonesians, please voice your aspirations peacefully. The government will listen, take note, and act,” Prabowo said at a press conference at the Merdeka Palace, joined by senior officials and political party leaders.
He addressed the recent death of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorbike taxi driver killed by a police tactical vehicle during Thursday’s riot, saying the National Police had launched a transparent investigation.
“Officers involved in misconduct are being investigated and undergoing ethics proceedings,” he stated.
President Prabowo also said political parties had acted firmly against lawmakers whose statements and behavior helped fuel the protests.
In response to demands from demonstrators, the House of Representatives (DPR) has agreed to revise several controversial policies, including those related to high allowances and foreign travel.
“The DPR leadership, along with party and faction heads, is reminding legislators to act with empathy and prioritize the people’s interests,” Prabowo said.
The press conference followed a closed-door meeting with political elites to address the unrest. Among those attending was Indonesia’s fifth president and PDIP Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Parliamentary leaders present included People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani, DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, and Regional Representative Council (DPD) Speaker Sultan Najamuddin.
Also in attendance were Golkar Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia, PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan, NasDem Chairman Surya Paloh, Democratic Party Deputy Chair Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, and PKS Secretary-General Muhammad Kholid.
