Civil society groups in Indonesia have strongly pushed back against President Prabowo Subianto’s recent claim that foreign-backed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are attempting to create division among Indonesians.
The accusation, made during his Pancasila Day speech on June 2, 2025, was met with rejection by several leading NGOs, who argued that such remarks are misleading and undermine legitimate advocacy work.
Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, President Prabowo warned of external efforts to divide the Indonesian people through financial support of NGOs, particularly those focused on democracy, human rights, and press freedom.
“I once again urge all Indonesian people to unite. Differences must not become a source of internal conflict. This is exactly what foreign powers who dislike a strong and wealthy Indonesia hope for,” Prabowo said, as quoted by detik.com.
He added that these powers use financial means to influence domestic discourse.
“For hundreds of years they’ve tried to divide us, and still do today. With money, they fund NGOs to divide us. They claim to uphold democracy, human rights, and freedom of the press—but according to their own version,” Prabowo stated.
Though he emphasized that Indonesians should not harbor general suspicion toward foreigners, he urged the nation to maintain independence in its development.
“We must not be manipulated by any foreign power. As our founding fathers said, we must stand on our own feet,” Prabowo said.
Human Rights Groups and Environmental NGOs Respond
In response, several NGOs criticized the president’s remarks, calling them counterproductive and damaging to democratic discourse. Usman Hamid, Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, argued that Prabowo’s claim echoed authoritarian rhetoric.
“Such thinking reflects an authoritarian leader who uses a singular narrative and blames others. Any opposition or criticism is seen as disruptive and framed as an enemy. This kind of statement ignores history,” said Usman, as reported by kompas.com.
Usman, who also served as secretary of the fact-finding team for the murder of human rights activist Munir, stressed that the real threat to Indonesia comes from corrupt political elites.
“The real enemies of this nation are not foreign NGOs. They are the corrupt political elites who manipulate laws for their own power, turn national interests into family interests, and damage democratic institutions,” he stated.
He also pointed out that during a Pancasila Day address, it would have been more appropriate to remember the words of the ideology’s founder, Sukarno.
“As Sukarno once said, ‘My struggle was easier because I was fighting foreign colonizers. Your struggle will be harder because you’ll fight your own people,” Usman reminded.
WALHI: Foreign Aid Supports Communities, Not Conflict
Environmental watchdog WALHI also rejected Prabowo’s accusation. Muhammad Al Amin, Executive Director of WALHI South Sulawesi, argued that foreign funding has helped NGOs support local communities and the government—not divide them.
“Many foreign-funded NGOs actually work to assist both the government and society. Suggesting that we are trying to divide the nation is misleading” Amin said in a statement quoted by tempo.co.
Amin clarified that criticism from NGOs is not driven by funding sources but by policies that diverge from public interests.
WALHI highlighted its success stories, such as the restoration of the Maros watershed and community partnerships with PT Inhutani for land management. Amin emphasized that this work complements government efforts.
“We also work with young people to restore mangrove forests and help communities resist harmful mining expansions. Is that what the president considers divisive?” he asked.
He concluded by urging President Prabowo to open constructive dialogue with NGOs instead of casting doubt on their integrity.
“The president should be proud that NGOs can secure foreign funding to serve the people without burdening the national budget (APBN),” Amin stated.
Source: detik.com, kompas.com, tempo.co
Photo credit: via pexels
