Prabowo Warns of 'Buyable' Democracy in Indonesia

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged the public to be cautious about the potential for democracy to be 'bought' by well-funded entities. President Prabowo reiterated his consistent support for democracy and reform since his time in the military, stating, "We want democracy. Don't misunderstand, when I was in the military, I supported democracy and reform." However, he warned that certain forces are attempting to hijack democracy with substantial financial backing. "But we must be careful, because democracy can be hijacked, it can be bought," he cautioned. According to the President, these forces are not only attempting to bribe politicians but also manipulating public opinion through social media algorithms, 'buzzers,' and 'robots,' spreading disinformation to mislead the public. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the public's discernment, saying, "Our people are not foolish, they will not be fooled." The remarks were made during the 28th anniversary event of the PAN party, highlighting growing concerns over political funding transparency and social media disinformation campaigns in Indonesia.