Jakarta – Provocative narratives such as “Dark Indonesia” are considered not to reflect reality and do not represent the aspirations of the majority of society. On the contrary, this nation is moving forward with a spirit of optimism and various efforts for improvement.
IPB University Rector, Arif Satria, revealed that President Prabowo Subianto in a meeting with the rectors had touched on the assumption that Indonesia was in a dark situation. However, Prabowo gave a message full of hope and enthusiasm.
“Yes, he did not mention anything explicitly. So he just said that yes, there are people who say that this is Dark Indonesia and so on. He knows that there is that movement,” said Arif.
However, he continued, the President said that the Indonesian people must remain optimistic because the condition of this country is actually much better than several developed countries.
“He said that we must be optimistic to overcome the problems in Indonesia. That actually Indonesia’s situation is better than the situation in America, the situation in Japan,” Arif explained.
In fact, the conditions in Japan which is experiencing a food crisis such as a decrease in rice supplies are a reflection of how Indonesia is still in a stable situation.
“So we are grateful to be in Indonesia because of the various riches that exist,” he added.
Meanwhile, the President’s Special Envoy for Climate and Energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, explained that one of the triggers for the emergence of the “Dark Indonesia” movement was a misunderstanding of the budget efficiency policy.
“IDR 100 trillion from the budget reallocation, which was previously called savings, cuts, which caused misunderstandings, so that students took to the streets, shouting Dark Indonesia. But actually they don’t understand and maybe they should be given an explanation,” said Hashim.
Likewise, the Chairman of the National Energy Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, also emphasized that the dark narrative about Indonesia is not in accordance with the facts.
“If someone says that Indonesia is dark, it’s you who are dark, not Indonesia. So we shouldn’t keep claiming here and there,” Luhut stressed.
Instead of being trapped in pessimism, now is the time for all elements of the nation to unite, strengthen hope, and continue to build a better Indonesia.