Social media has become the new open place where people can express their expectations, concerns, and concerns about their governments in the age of modern politics.
Websites like X ( previously Twitter ), Reddit and TikTok are no longer just places for entertainment—they serve as indicators of public mood, shaping and reflecting political conversation in real time.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was frequently discussed virtual by the South Eastern nation’s technologically savvy population during his first 100 days in workplace. Social media meetings offer valuable insights into both the difficulties and opportunities that his administration faces, despite considerable attention from the president.
According to social media survey study conducted by CARMA Asia, a Singapore-based world insights and knowledge company, online conversations about the ex-soldier government’s first 100 days identify a prevailing sense of dissatisfaction among netizens.
Much of the criticism stems from unmet expectations regarding economic reforms and his administration’s close ties to the former president, Joko Widodo, whose eldest son now serves as vice president.
Indonesian concerns about continuity rather than change are fueled by Prabowo’s inability to create a distinct political identity from Widodo’s legacy, according to the research findings.
Prabowo’s administration assumed office in October 2024 and immediately ignited online debates. While some users praised the peaceful transition of power to a democratic system, many others questioned Prabowo’s history of human rights, corruption concerns, and dubious cabinet appointments.
The tone for the months that came after this early discourse was. In November, the administration’s handling of the Thomas Lembong corruption trial, involving an ex-trade minister, and the Gus Miftah controversy, wherein the president’s special envoy was caught on video mocking an elderly tea seller, further eroded public confidence.
The abrupt cancellation of Yos Suprapto’s” Revival: Land for Food Sovereignty” art exhibition at the National Gallery in December was a watershed online moment, triggering the most significant spike in negative sentiment, the research showed. The artist refused to remove five paintings that critically depicted Widodo, causing its cancellation.
The government’s request to remove the artworks was viewed not merely as an isolated incident, but as a troubling signal about the administration’s stance on artistic freedom and public discourse.
These incidents, highlighted by figures like former minister Susi Pudjiastuti, show social media’s power to shape politics and hold leaders accountable.
January saw a slight improvement in sentiment, which may give Prabowo’s government a glimmer of hope, but the persistent undercurrent of negativity suggests deeper structural issues that time alone are unlikely to solve.
The former president Widodo’s nomination as” Most Corrupt Person of the Year” by The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Prabowo’s defensive response highlight the delicate balance between upholding free speech and maintaining transparency.
One thing is clear about Prabowo’s early months in office: Indonesia’s digital revolution is transforming the way politics unfolds. And Prabowo’s administration can ill-afford to ignore the power of online discourse in influencing the nation’s collective consciousness.
Each decision, whether related to policy, governance or public statements, is subject to immediate scrutiny and reaction from a highly engaged Indonesian digital population.
Prabowo’s administration must acknowledge that today’s governance requires both decisive leadership and the ability to effectively engage with public sentiment in order to navigate this new reality. Digital engagement is no longer optional, it is an essential component of modern leadership.
In the coming months, Prabowo’s response to this reality may well determine how he will lead Indonesia.
Methodology: The content collected and analyzed focused on high-quality, high-engagement posts from major social media platforms, including Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook. Volume, engagement, and post sentiment are among the metrics that were analyzed. The full report can be viewed here.
Divika Jethmal is an analyst at CARMA, a global leader in media intelligence that empowers our clients to make informed decisions and achieve their public relations objectives with precision. She provides actionable insights and unrivaled media analysis. Visit CARMA’s website here.