By: Ricky Rinaldi
Democracy is one of the main pillars that support national and state life in Indonesia. Through democracy, people have the space and freedom to express their aspirations, criticisms, and hopes to the government. However, this freedom must be carried out with responsibility and full awareness of its impact. Unfortunately, on several occasions, demonstrations that should be a means of conveying the voice of the people often turn into anarchic actions that disrupt order and cause great harm to the wider community. Violence in demonstrations not only threatens security, but also hinders the pace of development and progress of the nation.
The recent phenomenon of anarchic demonstrations is often triggered by groups who want to take advantage of the situation for narrow political and economic interests. They infiltrate the ranks of peaceful demonstrators, then disrupt the situation with acts of violence, destruction of public facilities, and clashes with security forces. The impact of these actions is very detrimental because in addition to destroying public facilities, they also cause social trauma and break up community unity. The chaos that occurs often paralyzes the city and causes prolonged unrest.
Moreover, in today’s digital era, every moment of chaos immediately goes viral and spreads very quickly. Social media often becomes an arena for the spread of fake news (hoaxes) and misleading narratives, thus worsening the atmosphere. Photos or videos that are taken partially and cut into pieces are often twisted in meaning to provoke the public, strengthen polarization, and provoke excessive emotions. This condition makes society easily provoked and divided, making it difficult to build constructive and peaceful dialogue.
In the face of this situation, the government continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining order and peace in every demonstration. The government provides sufficient space for the public to express their opinions, but strongly rejects all forms of violence and anarchism. On the momentum of International Labor Day (May Day) 2025, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, was present in person at the National Monument to convey the government’s support and commitment to workers’ welfare. The President emphasized that the elimination of the outsourcing system , the formation of the Termination of Employment Task Force (PHK), and the establishment of the National Labor Welfare Council are concrete steps for a fairer and more prosperous future for workers. This commitment is also in line with the government’s efforts to eradicate poverty, eradicate corruption, and improve public services for the welfare of all Indonesian people.
The presence of the President in the commemoration of May Day 2025 is not merely symbolic, but real evidence of the government’s attention to the rights and welfare of workers. This strategic step has received wide appreciation from various groups, including the General Chairperson of the DPP of the National Workers Union (SPN), Iwan Kusmawan, SH. In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the event, Iwan stated that the President’s presence showed the government’s seriousness in listening to and fulfilling the aspirations of workers. He also reminded that May Day is not just a national holiday, but an important momentum to strengthen workers’ solidarity and encourage policies that truly support their welfare. Iwan firmly rejected all forms of violence and anarchism that occurred during the demonstration, because this actually harmed the workers’ struggle and tarnished the image of the workers’ movement that had been fought for for a long time.
In addition, a highly respected religious figure, the Head of the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) of Purbalingga Regency, KH Nurkholis Masrur, also expressed deep concern over the anarchic actions that occurred during the May Day demonstration in Semarang. KH Nurkholis strongly condemned the acts of destruction and violence that disrupted public order and threatened the stability of state security. He emphasized that aspirations and criticisms must be conveyed peacefully, in accordance with applicable regulations and the values of Pancasila as the foundation of the state. KH Nurkholis invited all elements of society to maintain unity and peace, because only in this way can this nation face various challenges and build a better future.
The above facts confirm that anarchist demonstrations are not a solution to the problems faced by this nation. On the contrary, acts of violence and street riots only cause deep social wounds, widespread collective trauma, and enormous economic losses. Damage to public infrastructure caused by anarchist demonstrations often costs a lot of money, while the time and energy that must be devoted to recovery could be allocated to more productive development.
In the midst of the nation’s struggle to recover from the impact of the pandemic, strengthen political stability, and accelerate economic recovery, a conducive atmosphere is urgently needed. Peaceful and well-organized demonstrations will actually be a driver of positive change, support the development process, and strengthen the foundations of democracy. However, if the demonstrations turn anarchic, the negative impact will be felt by all levels of society and hinder the nation’s progress.
As good citizens, let us support the government’s efforts to maintain security and order for the sake of creating a peaceful, advanced, and prosperous Indonesia. Do not be easily provoked by issues that have the potential to divide unity. Let us convey criticism and aspirations in a polite, peaceful, and legal manner. In this way, we help maintain the dignity of a dignified democracy and strengthen national unity.
Indonesia needs all of us to unite, work hard, and maintain order. Because only with the spirit of mutual cooperation and political maturity, this nation can overcome all challenges and achieve a bright future. Let us make demonstrations a means of building the nation, not destroying it. Together we realize a peaceful, strong, and advanced Indonesia.
*)Strategic Issues Observer
