Prabowo’s Approval Rating Nears 80%, Surpassing Jokowi and SBY

Seventeen months into his presidency, Prabowo Subianto has secured a formidable domestic mandate. New data from Indikator Politik Indonesia reveals a 79.9% public approval rating as of February 9, 2026, a figure that surpasses the early-term benchmarks of his predecessors, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo.

A Mandate for Reform: Three Key Pillars

This high level of public trust is not merely a product of political rhetoric, but the result of a deliberate strategy focused on systemic overhaul, investment in human capital, and the enhancement of Indonesia’s role in global power dynamics.

1. Systemic Overhaul: Anti-Corruption as a Foundation

The defining characteristic of this administration is a shift toward institutional integrity. For the first time in recent polling, “combating corruption” has emerged as the leading driver of public satisfaction, accounting for 17.5% of positive responses.

The public’s perception has been shaped by concrete results. The Attorney General’s Office (Kejaksaan Agung/Kejagung) has moved beyond policy statements to high-profile enforcement, exemplified by the public display of recovered assets—including 6.6 trillion IDR (approximately $420 million USD) in seized cash. This “cleansing” of the state apparatus is being viewed as a prerequisite for national stability and fair economic growth.

2. Investing in the National Fabric: Human Capital and Infrastructure

The administration is treating human capital as the foundation of Indonesia’s future strength. Social programs are being implemented as long-term strategic assets:

• The MBG Initiative: The Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program is a direct investment in the biological and cognitive foundations of the next generation, addressing stunting and nutrition at scale.
• Schools for the People: The planned renovation of 300,000 schools nationwide reflects a commitment to educational equity, viewed as essential upgrades to the nation’s “soft infrastructure.”

3. Consolidating Global Power: The Domestic-Foreign Nexus

The 80% domestic approval rating provides leverage for Indonesia to assert itself more forcefully in the global power hierarchy. With a stabilized home front, Jakarta is better positioned to navigate the complexities of ASEAN, BRICS, and the Global South.

The administration’s ability to maintain high levels of trust allows the President to project a unified national voice on the world stage. By addressing internal issues through anti-corruption and human capital development, Indonesia is enhancing its credibility as a middle power and a global diplomatic reference.

A “Call to Action,” Not a Victory Lap

While the survey reflects high satisfaction, the administration is framing these numbers as a “call to action” rather than a cause for complacency. Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi and Gerindra Party Executive Chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad have both emphasized the need for continued effort to solve chronic issues like poverty and health quality.

These developments signal a maturing Indonesian state, no longer content with being a passive market but actively building the internal strength required to lead the Global South and influence the restructuring of the international order.