Prabowo-Gibran Administration Celebrates First Year with Strong Public Approval, Indikator Poll Reveals

A recent survey by Indikator Politik Indonesia indicates widespread satisfaction among Indonesians with the first year of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, as reported by the Jakarta Globe on November 9, 2025. This positive sentiment reflects public approval of the current leadership and its initial policy implementations.

The poll, conducted from October 20 to 27, 2025, found that a significant 77.7 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Indikator Politik Indonesia researcher Burhanuddin Muhtadi noted this during a livestream, highlighting the strong public backing.

Key drivers behind this high approval rating include public perceptions of the administration’s assertiveness, strong leadership, and efforts in anti-corruption. Social assistance programs, particularly the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) initiative, also contributed significantly to the positive sentiment, according to Muhtadi.

President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka officially took office on October 20, 2024, marking a full year of their leadership. Their inauguration at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta initiated a five-year term, as detailed by Wikipedia.

While public satisfaction remains robust, Indikator Politik Indonesia also pointed out that economic performance is not yet a primary factor driving this approval. Muhtadi suggested that the government still has work to do to improve economic fundamentals.

The administration has implemented various policies aimed at directly impacting citizens' lives, including significant social welfare programs. These initiatives appear to resonate positively with a large segment of the Indonesian population, according to the latest survey findings.

• Background and Election Context: President Prabowo Subianto, a former general and defense minister, secured victory in the February 2024 presidential election with 58.59% of the vote, alongside his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Their inauguration took place on October 20, 2024, at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta, as reported by wikipedia and The Straits Times. Gibran's eligibility to run, despite being below the minimum age, was facilitated by a controversial Constitutional Court ruling in October 2023, which allowed candidates previously elected to public office to run, according to ipu Parline.

• Indikator Politik Indonesia Survey Details: The recent Indikator Politik Indonesia survey, which found 77.7% public satisfaction, was conducted from October 20 to 27, 2025. It involved 1,220 Indonesian citizens eligible to vote, selected using multistage random sampling, with a margin of error of ±2.8 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. Researcher Burhanuddin Muhtadi stated that positive sentiment was driven by perceptions of strong leadership, anti-corruption efforts, and social assistance programs, as reported by asiaone and TEMPO.CO.

• Contrasting Public Sentiment: Despite the high approval reported by Indikator Politik Indonesia, other assessments have presented a different picture. The Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) reported low public confidence and dissatisfaction with the administration's first year, with Prabowo scoring 3 out of 10 and Gibran 2 out of 10 in their October 2025 surveys. Celios researcher Media Askar noted that 56% of respondents felt few campaign promises were fulfilled, and over 70% rated government program execution as "poor" or "very poor," according to The Jakarta Post and TEMPO.CO.

• Key Policy Initiatives and Social Programs: The Prabowo-Gibran administration has launched several flagship initiatives. These include the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which had reached 35.4 million recipients by mid-October 2025, as noted in a report on the administration's first year. Additionally, the government announced a 6.5 percent average increase in the national minimum wage for 2025 in November 2024 and disbursed Rp30 trillion (US$12 billion) in direct cash assistance to 35.4 million low-income households, according to GIS Reports and ANTARA News.

• Economic Landscape and Challenges: The administration aims for ambitious economic growth, but faces significant hurdles. Indonesia's economy saw growth slow to 4.87% in the first quarter of 2025, and tax revenues were under pressure, with collections reaching only 62.4% of the annual target by September 2025, as reported by GIS Reports. East Asia Forum noted in January 2025 that challenges include weakening consumer spending, slower export growth, and rising fiscal pressures, despite the country maintaining 5 percent growth in 2024.

• Governance and Political Dynamics: The first year has been marked by significant political dynamics, including four cabinet reshuffles, with the first occurring just four months after inauguration, according to a report on the administration's first year. Controversial policies, such as expanding the military's role in civilian governance, have drawn criticism from rights groups and led to student protests, as reported by asiaone. The administration's budget efficiency plans, including spending cuts in ministries like education, have also sparked public backlash, according to GIS Reports.

• Social Implications and Public Concerns: While social assistance programs contribute to approval, some initiatives have faced challenges. The Free Nutritious Meal program, for instance, recorded 70 cases of food poisoning from January to September 2025, as detailed in a report on the administration's first year. Additionally, the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 12 percent in January 2025 and budget cuts in vital ministries have been met with public opposition, according to indoleft and GIS Reports.

• Future Outlook and Administration's Stance: President Prabowo has expressed confidence in his administration's achievements, despite ongoing challenges. His government is expected to continue its focus on "Indonesia-first policies," aiming for increased international presence and economic continuity, as analyzed by Speyside Asia Pacific in October 2025. The administration's ability to address economic fundamentals and public concerns while maintaining its populist appeal will be crucial in the coming years.