Prabowo calls journalists and NGOs 'londo ireng' at PKB event

President Prabowo Subianto said the figure once described as “londo ireng” still exists and now, in his view, appears as reporters, journalists, observers and non-governmental organizations. He delivered the remarks in the main address marking PKB's 28th anniversary at the Jakarta Convention Center on Thursday night, July 23, 2026. Prabowo also questioned the funding sources of NGOs and accused a broad campaign of repeatedly predicting Indonesia's collapse from month to month. In the same speech, he complained about media coverage focused on damaged schools, even as his government says it has repaired more than 67 thousand school buildings. A day later, Aliansi Jurnalis Independen secretary general Bayu Wardhana asked Prabowo to apologize, saying the term was used to accuse journalists without basis and belittle a profession that performs a critical function.