Interpreting Speech Acts in Political Context: A Political Discourse Analysis of Prabowo Subianto’s Speech On Public Unrest

Abstract

This research explores how speech acts are used in Prabowo Subianto’s press conference on August 31, 2025, to respond to national protests and public unrest. The research aims to identify the types of speech acts expressed in the speech and to interpret how they contribute to the framework of political discourse. The study engaged a qualitative descriptive method using the transcript from the SekretariatPresiden YouTube channel as the main data source. The analysis applied Searle’s (1979) Speech Act Theory to categorize the utterances and Fairclough’s (2010) Political Discourse Theory to interpret their political and social implications. The findings expose that Prabowo’s speech indicates a strategic use of language to influence the public, build authority, and project political responsibility. The speech reflects a balance among assertive expressions of policy, directive attract for public cooperation, and declarative statements showing government action. Through this linguistic pattern, the study highlights how language works not only as communication but also as a performative act that strengthen legitimacy and leadership during a period of social pressure. In conclusion, the research emphasizes that political speeches are not simple statements but acts of power that shape public perception and trust. Future research may compare similar speeches from other object to further explore how language builds authority and manages crisis narratives in political contexts.