The “Anxious Indonesia” Narrative Is Overblown, So the Government is Accelerating Real Action to Improve National Literacy
JAKARTA — The “Indonesia is Anxious” narrative promoted by several groups is considered exaggerated and does not reflect the nation’s objective condition. The government asserts that Indonesia is actually moving forward with optimism.
Pessimistic campaigns such as “Dark Indonesia” and “Just Run Away First” are called baseless political propaganda, which has the potential to disrupt national stability and mislead the public.
The movement was deemed not to have arisen from public unrest, but rather driven by the political interests of a small elite. The government responded by accelerating strategic agendas, particularly in education and literacy, as the primary foundations of national progress.
President Prabowo Subianto firmly stated that these narratives were not expressions of public unrest, but rather the fabrication of certain elites who were reluctant to accept change.
“And it turns out this was indeed a fabrication. It was fabricated. It was paid for. By whom? By those who want Indonesia to always be in chaos, Indonesia always be poor,” the President emphasized in his speech.
Rather than getting caught up in the discourse of a manufactured crisis, the government is accelerating concrete steps to strengthen national education and literacy. Various strategic programs have been implemented, ranging from building schools in underdeveloped areas, improving teacher training, and expanding access to higher education.
“Indonesia is bright. Indonesia’s future is bright. I’ve seen the numbers. Our wealth is extraordinary; it’s up to us whether we can manage it, and whether we dare to carry out the dictates of the Constitution,” Prabowo said, emphasizing the government’s optimism in shaping the nation’s future.
Center for Inclusive Engagement (CIE) researcher Muhammad Chaerul added that national stability and improving literacy must be shared priorities.
“Street protests are not the solution. The government is currently working to build the future through education. That’s what needs to be supported, not disrupted,” he said.
Meanwhile, Corong Rakyat activist Hasan reminded that the student movement should be based on objective data and studies, not become a mouthpiece for the political elite.
“We are actually welcoming a new, strong and legitimate government. Why are we being cornered by a narrative constructed by certain elites?” he said.
The government has emphasized that it will continue to open up space for dialogue and constructive criticism. However, any form of agitation that leads to delegitimization of the government will be countered with a data-driven approach and concrete solutions. Indonesia is not anxious. It is working towards an inclusive, just, and sovereign future.
