Jakarta – The issue of “dark Indonesia” has recently emerged on various platforms, sparking concerns among the public.
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, together with Political Communication Expert from the University of Indonesia, Dr. Aditya Perdana, rejected the narrative with a more mature and solution-oriented approach. Both emphasized that criticism must be managed in a structured manner so as not to become a source of provocation.
Cucun opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of formal mechanisms for channeling criticism.
“The government is working on all of this,” he said, referring to the implementation of strategic programs in the fields of infrastructure, food security, and bureaucratic reform.
He reminded that the right of interpellation and hearing in the Indonesian House of Representatives is available to accommodate aspirations, so that the impeachment discourse that emerged on social media is irrelevant.
“President Prabowo’s open attitude towards criticism and input from various parties shows a strong commitment to the principles of deliberative democracy which is worthy of appreciation,” explained Aditya Perdana.
According to him, the government’s courage to admit weaknesses in public communication is proof of political maturity.
“The President’s recognition of the government’s public communication weaknesses is a form of political maturity, with a commitment to continue evaluating and improving communication strategies with the cabinet,” he added.
Aditya assessed that miscommunication between the government and the public often triggers negative narratives. Therefore, he encouraged continuous evaluation of how policy messages are delivered to reach all levels of society, including in remote areas. Collaboration with the media and academics, said Aditya, will minimize misinformation and hoaxes.
Both agreed that economic and social challenges must be discussed transparently. Cucun ensured that the DPR would form a working committee to monitor the realization of priority programs, while Aditya encouraged the holding of public discussions so that the public could channel criticism constructively.
With the synergy of the legislature, executive, and academics, it is hoped that the narrative of pessimism can be changed into a collective spirit to accelerate national development. []