On 2 June 2025, during Indonesia’s Pancasila Day celebrations, President-elect Prabowo Subianto made a speech accusing foreign powers of using civil society organizations (CSOs) to pit Indonesians against each other. He stated:
“With money, they fund CSOs to pit us against each other. They claim to be upholders of democracy, human rights, and press freedom—but that’s just their version.”
This narrative echoes previous statements made by Prabowo over the years, including in 2014 and at the Gerindra Party anniversary in February 2025, where he accused CSOs and media of being funded by foreign actors to manipulate public opinion. Coalitions of NGOs and human rights groups denounced the remarks as ahistorical and harmful, emphasizing the vital role of civil society in Indonesia’s democratic development.
National and international analysts expressed concern that these repeated accusations could erode public trust in civil society and legitimize future restrictions. NGOs have warned of rising “civilphobia” and “blind nationalism,” which not only endanger freedoms of expression and association but also risk alienating development partners.
Though no immediate legal changes have followed, these high-profile remarks signal an escalating shift in public discourse. Given past precedent in Indonesia—such as foreign agent laws being proposed under nationalist administrations—activists fear that institutional restrictions on civic space may follow.