But Yoes noted that Prabowo had, on Mar 13, accused observers of being unpatriotic and alleged that they gained financially by criticising the government, reported The Jakarta Post.
“Some observers simply don’t want their own government to succeed due to various motivations. I’d say they are narrow-minded, not patriotic,” Prabowo said at a Cabinet meeting, without naming the observers.
“When the time comes, we will put them in order,” he was quoted as saying by The Jakarta Post.
Yoes added: “The cost of voicing criticism is becoming increasingly high, as seen in recent attacks on activists.”
He was referring to an acid attack last month on rights advocate Andrie Yunus, a critic of the military’s influence in government. Four soldiers have been detained for their alleged role in the attack.
Individuals who backed Teddy include Habiburokhman, a member of Indonesia’s People’s Representative Council, one of two elected chambers in the national legislature.
He said on Apr 13 he considered Teddy’s remark to be true, and that many parties had expressed opinions that were not supported by accurate data.
“There are many observers who have delivered constructive criticism to the Prabowo government, and many of them have been followed up,” Habiburokhman said, as quoted by news outlet VOI.
“However, not all criticism is good, there is also criticism that is not constructive and even destructive,” he said.
Some observers aim to seize power either through the constitutional or unconstitutional path, he added.
Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari said on Monday the government is not opposed to criticism. “Use data, use theory — that’s really what’s being stressed, in my view,” he said.
This is not the first time Teddy has come under the spotlight for his remarks.
Last month, he was criticised for his reply when asked about the budget for a government-funded “people’s market” event on Mar 28.
His response then was: “Anyway, it’s there, okay.”
Director of research institute Centre of Economic and Law Studies Media Askar Wahyudi said Teddy’s reply lacked details such as the size of the budget, its source and who was implementing it, reported Tempo.
“The public cannot verify whether there are price markups, fictitious logistics costs or unfair procurement practices,” Media said.