By Dian Rahma Fika
Copyright tempo
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, defended the government’s decision to screen a video highlighting President Prabowo Subianto’s program achievements in movie theaters, describing it as part of public communication efforts.“We also see this as a form of public transparency. The public must know the programs that have been implemented and how they are carried out,” Meutya said at the People’s Representative Council Complex in Jakarta on Monday, September 15, 2025.The one-minute video, which played before movie screenings, went viral on social media over the past few days.It presented data on several government programs, including the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG), which reportedly reached 20 million beneficiaries, the opening of 80,000 Red and White Village Cooperatives, and the operation of 5,800 MBG kitchens across Indonesia.Other highlights included national rice production reaching 21.76 million tons as of August 2025, the creation of 225,000 hectares of new rice fields, and the export of 1,200 tons of corn in early 2025.Meutya emphasized that the video serves as a report on the performance of the government’s Red and White Cabinet.“One of the government’s tasks is to communicate and provide transparency about its programs,” she said, noting her role as a Golkar Party politician.The screening drew mixed reactions online, with netizens expressing both support and criticism. Some even urged moviegoers to enter theaters 15 minutes after showtimes in protest.When asked about this response, Meutya declined to comment further, saying, “I think my answer has addressed that.”Critics, however, questioned the approach. Asep Suryana, a sociology lecturer at Jakarta State University, argued that showing achievement videos in public spaces could undermine public trust.“Rather than conducting evaluations, the government is intervening in public space with a presentation that has long been a source of strong public protest,” he said, noting a disconnect between the video’s claims and the on-the-ground reality.Meanwhile, State Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi defended the use of public media as a communication tool.“As long as it does not violate rules or disturb comfort and public order, this is a common, normal practice,” he said in a written statement on Sunday, September 14, 2025.Andi Adam Faturahman contributed to the writing this article.Editor’s Choice: Facts About Prabowo’s Govt Achievements Video Played in CinemasClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
