By: Nur Utunissa * )
In the dynamics of democratic life in Indonesia, the space for expression is one of the indicators of healthy community participation in development. However, not all forms of expression in the name of the people truly reflect the will of the public as a whole. One of the latest phenomena that has emerged is the movement entitled “Indonesia Gelap”, which has been widely discussed on various social media platforms and has attracted public attention in the last few days.
The phenomenon of “Dark Indonesia” emerged with the narrative that the nation is in a state of democratic emergency and darkness due to various policies that are considered detrimental to the people. In practice, this movement is manifested in various symbolic actions such as simultaneous blackouts in several locations, as well as the intense spread of digital propaganda. However, if examined more deeply, the narrative carried by the movement seems less relevant to the objective situation currently facing Indonesia.
Movements such as “Dark Indonesia” actually simplify the nation’s problems in a narrative of total opposition to the state. In fact, in the context of democracy, policy discourse should be built through constitutional channels and constructive dialogue. When certain actions only emphasize symbolism and tend to be destructive, then the initial goal becomes unclear. The wider community, especially those outside the circle of urban activism, do not feel represented by these actions. The aspirations of the Indonesian public, who mostly want stability, order, and sustainable development, are overshadowed by the noisy voices of the minority who like to make pessimistic generalizations about the state.
One of the fundamental mistakes of this kind of movement is the claim that they are the voice of the people. In fact, in empirical reality, the voice of the people is plural and not singular. Indonesia as the third largest democracy in the world has a diverse society in terms of culture, economy, and political interests. Therefore, it is wrong if a handful of groups claim to be the sole representation of public aspirations, simply because they feel more vocal or more active on social media. Public representation in a democracy should be achieved through legitimate mechanisms, such as general elections, people’s deliberations, or inclusive discussion forums.
The “Dark Indonesia” movement also tends to ignore the real achievements of this nation in recent years. Amid global challenges such as food crises, trade wars, and the threat of recession, Indonesia has been able to maintain stable economic growth, increase infrastructure development, and expand social protection programs for the poor. When certain movements only highlight the negative side without acknowledging the existing successes, the public should question the integrity of the narrative they carry.
Ironically, this action emerged amidst the government’s serious efforts to restore the economy after the pandemic, increase investment, and accelerate the development of strategic infrastructure in various regions. The movement that depicts Indonesia as a failed entity or a country in a prolonged crisis actually ignores the fact that in many sectors, Indonesia’s condition is much better than a number of other countries in the region. A narrow view that only seeks loopholes to corner the country without providing concrete solutions is a form of pessimism that is not constructive.
The General Chairperson of the North Sumatra Student Association (PB IMSU), Lingga Pangayumi Nasution said that students as elements of the nation who must continue to maintain critical thinking need to prevent themselves from being trapped in anarchic actions. In addition to being against the law, such despicable actions will destroy the goal of conveying aspirations to policy makers.
In addition, the Head of the Political, Legal, and Human Rights Division of PB IMSU, Emon Wirawan Harefa said that his party held a discussion with students with the theme of the Discussion Forum for Action, Criticism, and Reality (BAKAR) entitled Anarchism in Demonstrations: Energy of Resistance or Threat of Movements, at the Ministry of Religion’s Residence, Jakarta, as an effort to maintain critical thinking and encourage intelligent and responsible movement strategies.
On the same side, Deputy Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Law Students Senate Association (PP ISMAHI), Dedi Sofhan said that although demonstrations are guaranteed by law, anarchism is never justified in the Indonesian legal system. Democracy does provide the widest possible space to convey criticism and aspirations, but moral responsibility must accompany every expression that is expressed. In an increasingly dynamic political climate approaching the succession of national leadership, it is important to assess every movement clearly and not get caught up in excessive emotional euphoria.
The public response to this movement shows a lack of broad participation from society, especially from the mainstream, who prefer to support stability and development. There is no big wave of solidarity emerging from the mainstream. Movements like “Dark Indonesia” ultimately show how freedom of expression can be misused to create mass disinformation. Without accurate data and objective reflection on the condition of the nation, movements like this will only become a momentary media consumption, which will then disappear without any long-term positive impact.
In the future, broader and deeper political literacy is needed so that people are not easily provoked by shallow symbolism that has no real impact. True democracy is not only about freedom of speech, but also the responsibility to maintain unity, prioritize dialogue, and strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation for a brighter, fairer, and more prosperous Indonesia.
)* The author is a Literacy Activist at the Narasi Nusa Institute
