Prabowo defends criticism of media, says Indonesia still has a 'Londo Ireng' mentality

TheIndonesia.co - President Prabowo Subianto has said he believes some Indonesians still possess what he described as a "Londo Ireng" mentality, alleging that such individuals now work as journalists, NGO activists and commentators rather than openly serving foreign interests.

Speaking at the 28th anniversary celebration of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Jakarta on Thursday, Prabowo made the remarks while criticising what he viewed as unfair media coverage of his administration.

"Although we have renovated 67,000 schools, some media outlets only look for schools that have not yet been repaired, photograph them, and put them on the front page," he said.

The President said he understood the intention behind such reporting but declined to identify the media outlet he was referring to.

"They think we don't understand. I won't mention which media organisation it is. When the time comes, I will," he said.

Despite his criticism, Prabowo insisted that his government remained committed to democratic values and accepted public scrutiny.

"We are a democratic country. We are not against criticism, but we are not children," he said.

Prabowo later explained that his remark about "not being children" referred to what he described as Indonesians who prioritise the interests of foreign powers over those of their own country.

"We know there are Indonesians who are happy to serve other nations. In the past we called them Londo Ireng — those who sided with the Dutch and fought against us," he said.

The term Londo Ireng, which literally means "black Dutchman" in Javanese, has historically been used to describe Indonesians regarded as collaborators with Dutch colonial authorities or as people perceived to have betrayed their own nation.

Prabowo argued that the mentality had not disappeared, but had instead taken on different forms.

"These Londo Ireng still exist today, only now they wear different clothes. Journalists, commentators, NGOs," he said.

He also questioned the funding sources of some non-governmental organisations.

"We should ask NGOs: who pays your salary? Who pays your electricity bill? Who pays for your mobile phone? We know how difficult it is to find work," Prabowo said.

The President did not provide evidence to support his claims or identify any specific journalists, media organisations, NGOs or analysts he believed were acting on behalf of foreign interests.