Marking the first anniversary of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, the Indonesia Programme at RSIS held a seminar on 2 October 2025 titled “One Year of Prabowo Presidency: Progress, Challenges, and Directions” which examined the government’s political consolidation, economic policies, defence reforms, and foreign policy trajectory.
Dr Alexander R. Arifianto, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Indonesia Programme, observed that Prabowo’s first year was defined by an ambitious effort to consolidate power through a broad coalition encompassing major parties and mass organisations such as PDI-P, Nahdlatul Ulama, and Muhammadiyah. He noted that despite public discontent over economic inequality and corruption, cabinet reshuffles and symbolic reforms have allowed the president to maintain control while avoiding deeper structural concessions.
Dr Siwage Dharma Negara – Senior Fellow, Regional Economic Studies Programme, Co-coordinator, Indonesia Studies Programme, and Coordinator, Singapore APEC Study Centre at ISEAS, Yusof Ishak Institute; highlighted that Indonesia’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain stable but growth has stagnated around 5 percent. He pointed out that unemployment and underemployment persist, while the rupiah’s depreciation and a widening fiscal deficit have placed pressure on the administration to shift from populist spending to productive investment.
Research Fellow at the Indonesia Programme, Dr Adhi Priamarizki, discussed major defence sector changes, including the revitalisation of the pertahanan semesta doctrine and the establishment of new territorial commands under a more centralised structure. He cautioned that the fusion of civilian and military functions could deepen reliance on the TNI.
Finally, Dr Leonard C. Sebastian, Senior Fellow at the Indonesia Programme, analysed Prabowo’s pragmatic and personality-driven foreign policy, characterised by balance among major powers and a reinterpreted bebas aktif doctrine aimed at elevating Indonesia’s influence beyond Southeast Asia.
Collectively, the speakers agreed that while Prabowo’s administration has demonstrated strong political control and strategic ambition, its next challenge lies in translating these into sustained economic and institutional performance.
