Indonesia’s protesters dismiss ‘belittling’ claims of CIA’s backing during unrest

On August 22, tens of thousands of students and other Indonesians took to the streets to reject a parliamentary move that undermined several rulings by the constitutional court on age eligibility and electoral thresholds for regional elections in November. Protests continued earlier this week in some cities such as Semarang and Makassar despite a decision by Indonesian lawmakers to cancel the passing of the controversial bill.

“In 1998, we were on the verge of taking off, but we were [tricked] by foreign powers. If there is an Indonesian elite that [does not know] what happened in 1998, I suggest, please study again,” Prabowo said at an event organised by the Islam-based National Mandate Party. He ended the speech by calling for unity among the political elites.

Prabowo, a former son-in-law of Suharto, was discharged from the military over accusations that he played a role in the kidnapping pro-democracy activists involved in the 1998 protests.

On Tuesday, the 72-year-old former general doubled down on his anti-West narrative, saying that opposition against the government is “Western culture”.

“Some say, ‘[my] coalition is so fat’ … Let’s not follow the Western culture, they love opposition. [They like to] fight, the opposition refuses to cooperate,” he said.

Allegations of foreign intervention have also surfaced in online posts. On social media platform X, user @davidkersten claimed that last week’s protest was “another CIA coup” to topple Widodo as he was “pro-Palestinian and pro-China”.

The user cited an article published in September by American far-left website MintPress News, which claimed a CIA-linked organisation was preparing a “colour revolution” in Indonesia.

The allegation has drawn criticism from Indonesians.

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