Indonesia survey shows Prabowo approval still solid

The other side of the ledger is equally important for investors and policymakers. A sizeable 32.5% said they were dissatisfied, with the biggest complaints centred on a difficult economy, misdirected aid and expensive basic necessities. That is a warning that household purchasing power remains the main vulnerability for a government trying to convert popularity into economic stability.

The poll also shows a split between the president and his running mate, with 65.2% satisfied with Prabowo’s performance but only 49% for Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. That gap matters because it suggests public confidence is being personalised around the president rather than the wider administration, leaving less room for error if growth slows, inflation bites or delivery of flagship programmes falters.

For markets, the political message is that the government still has enough public backing to pursue its fiscal and social agenda, including expanded welfare measures and budget initiatives, but the room for complacency is limited. Approval remains above the 60% threshold, yet the survey’s own conclusion that satisfaction would need broader improvement to get back above 70% underscores how fragile that support could be if living costs stay elevated.

The investor takeaway is that Indonesia’s policy direction remains oriented toward consumption support and social spending, which can cushion demand in the near term, but also raises questions about fiscal discipline and programme efficiency. If aid continues to be seen as too broad or badly targeted, the political dividend could weaken even if headline approval stays respectable. For now, the government still has a workable mandate — but not a blank cheque.