Prabowo Subianto Scores 5.1 in SMRC Opinion Leader Survey on National Leadership Quality
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received an average leadership quality score of 5.1 out of 10 in a survey released on October 15, 2026, by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), Tempo.co reported. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka scored 4.4 in the same study, which evaluated 31 public figures based on assessments from 200 knowledgeable observers of national politics.
The study, titled “Democratic-Transformative National Leadership: Opinion Leaders Survey,” measured candidates across multiple criteria including competence, empathy, integrity, public acceptability, pluralism and inclusiveness, leadership ability, commitment to democracy, and commitment to public welfare. SMRC founder Saiful Mujani stated that voters generally do not have enough information to assess presidential candidates in depth, making evaluations from informed observers necessary to help voters choose leaders with a democratic-transformative vision.
Detailed Breakdown of Prabowo and Gibran Leadership Scores
President Prabowo Subianto secured his highest marks in pluralism and inclusiveness at 5.8 out of 10, alongside a 5.5 score for general leadership ability. He earned 5.3 for his commitment to an independent and active foreign policy, 5.1 for competence, and 4.9 for empathy. His lowest score, 4.2 out of 10, came in the category measuring commitment to the professionalism of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka recorded his highest mark of 5.1 in pluralism and inclusiveness. His remaining scores included 4.7 for foreign policy commitment, 4.5 for TNI-Police professionalism, 4.3 for leadership ability, 4.2 for empathy, 4.0 for integrity, and 3.7 for competence.
Mahfud MD Leads the 31 Public Figures Evaluated
Former Constitutional Court chief justice and former coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs Mahfud MD earned the highest overall assessment among all 31 figures included in the SMRC survey. Mahfud scored 7.8 out of 10 for his commitment to TNI-Police professionalism, 7.7 for pluralism and inclusiveness, 7.6 for competence, 7.6 for leadership ability, and 7.3 for empathy. Former foreign minister Retno Marsudi edged past him slightly on foreign policy commitment with a score of 7.8, placing Mahfud second in that specific category at 7.7.
Methodology Behind the SMRC Opinion Leader Study
The assessment relied on 200 non-randomized respondents recruited primarily via snowball sampling across national and regional media networks. The panel comprised 166 academics and researchers specializing in fields such as politics and government, philosophy, history, religion, culture, sociology, anthropology, economics, development, science, engineering, communications, law, and psychology, alongside 34 senior journalists. SMRC noted that 149 of the participants agreed to make their names public, and clarified that the findings should be interpreted as descriptive assessments of the respondents, rather than as representative of all opinion leaders nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SMRC Survey
Why did SMRC survey opinion leaders instead of general voters?
Saiful Mujani explained that voters generally do not have enough information to assess presidential candidates in depth. The survey targeted a group that is relatively more knowledgeable about these figures to help voters choose leaders with a democratic-transformative vision.
Who were the respondents in the SMRC study?
The panel included 200 total participants, consisting of 166 academics and researchers across diverse disciplines including politics and government, philosophy, history, religion, culture, sociology, anthropology, economics, development, science, engineering, communications, law, and psychology, plus 34 senior journalists recruited through snowball sampling.
Which figure scored lowest for military and police professionalism?
President Prabowo Subianto and Kaesang Pangarep tied for the lowest score in that specific category, both receiving 4.2 out of 10 from the respondents.
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