JAKARTA – The chairman of Projo (Pro Jokowi), a mass organization supporting the Prabowo-Gibran administration, has issued a strong appeal for national unity and resilience as global shocks continue to ripple into domestic affairs. Budi Arie Setiadi warned citizens not to fall prey to attempts at incitement and division.

“Indonesia’s independence was won through struggle and sacrifice. That means we have been blessed as an optimistic nation. I believe our people are intelligent and will not be easily pitted against one another by malicious elites,” Setiadi said in a statement released on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Middle East War Has Global Ripple Effects

Setiadi explained that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is producing global repercussions that have reached Indonesia. While urging caution, he emphasized an outlook free from unwarranted fear.

Projo has also instructed its entire leadership network—from national to village levels—to maintain collective spirit. Addressing speculation about possible social or political unrest in June and July, Setiadi dismissed such concerns as overblown.

“I want to quote Mr. Joko Widodo’s question: the public should not be afraid even though certain parties are deliberately trying to scare them. That message needs to be continuously echoed across society,” he said.

Drawing Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Setiadi noted that all nations are currently navigating difficult circumstances, some even more severe. He called for a reduction in unproductive debates that offer no solutions, stressing that fostering optimism is what truly matters.

“We learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that a united Indonesia successfully overcame the crisis, and we came through safely. We must continue to cultivate optimism because we have a track record of successfully facing critical and crucial situations,” he remarked.

Projo’s Policy Proposal on Energy

In a related development, Projo has proposed that the government establish a special body to oversee subsidized LPG distribution amid volatile global oil prices. The organization views such a measure as a concrete step to shield lower-income households from price shocks while preventing diversion of subsidized fuel.

Background: A Series of Projo Initiatives

This latest call for unity follows a series of recent Projo actions. Earlier in the week, Setiadi visited former president Joko Widodo at his residence in Solo to exchange Eid greetings and strengthen personal ties. The organization has also been actively encouraging its cadres to adopt a “patriotic” mindset when confronting the impacts of global geopolitical tensions.

Expert Take: The Significance of Elite-Driven Rhetoric

Political analysts suggest that Projo’s appeal serves both a social and a strategic purpose. “By explicitly naming ‘evil elites’ as potential agents of provocation, the organization is signaling its role as a guardian of civil harmony,” said a Jakarta-based political communication expert who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It also reinforces the government’s narrative of stability ahead of any potential economic or security turbulence.”

Conclusion: Unity as a Strategic Asset

As Indonesia navigates external pressures ranging from energy market volatility to geopolitical flashpoints, Projo’s message underscores a recurring theme in the nation’s contemporary political discourse: collective memory of past crises (such as the pandemic) can be mobilized to strengthen social cohesion.

Whether the appeal will succeed in insulating public opinion from divisive narratives remains to be seen. However, the timing—ahead of projected months of uncertainty—suggests that Projo is positioning itself as both a grassroots stabilizer and a loyal pillar of the Prabowo-Gibran administration.