By: Andi Ramli*)
The narrative about Dark Indonesia voiced by several parties does not fully represent the current state of the nation’s progress. In fact, much progress and optimism is being built by the government and various elements of society. In facing various challenges, the public is invited to see the nation’s problems in a balanced way, not with a gloomy narrative that could weaken the collective spirit of building the country.
President Prabowo Subianto has shown openness to dialogue with those who have voiced disappointment with the state of the country, including a group known as Dark Indonesia. The President expressed his intention to understand what is really meant by the term and offered cooperation in addressing things that are considered dark. For him, if there is indeed a dark side in this country, then it is not to be debated openly, but to be fixed together in real terms.
The Dark Indonesia Group itself is not an official organization, but rather a group of voices that emerged from disappointment over human rights violations, corruption that has not subsided, and the crisis in democracy that is felt to be getting worse. They actively voice their demands through social media channels and various civil actions such as the Thursday Action, which has long been a symbol of resistance against injustice, especially by Ibu Sumarsih who fought for justice for the death of her son in the Semanggi Tragedy.
The group is known to voice the Asta Tuntutan Rakyat (People’s Demands), which includes eight critical points against state policies, ranging from the return of the military to civilian positions, the weakening of anti-corruption institutions such as the KPK, the degradation of democracy, to the issue of social inequality, the dominance of political oligarchy, and the loss of intellectual integrity among the elite. They consider that the current direction of development ignores the substance of social justice and democracy which are the pillars of the state.
But on the other hand, the government is actually carrying out various programs that are believed to bring Indonesia to a bright future. One of the flagship programs introduced is Free Nutritious Meals and the formation of 80,000 Red and White Cooperatives, which are targeted to double the capital in two years.
This big step was not carried out alone, but accompanied by global experts such as Ray Dalio, Jeffrey Sachs, Thaksin Sinawatara, and directly supervised by two former presidents, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo. The government sees that with cross-generational collaboration and global expertise, Indonesia’s future can be more promising.
The importance of dialogue was also highlighted by President Prabowo as an effort to create meaningful participation in democracy. A conversation that does not always oppose views, but rather starts from a willingness to listen and work together to improve conditions. In his view, critical voices are not enemies of the state, but rather part of the dynamics of a healthy democracy. Especially when the function of the formal opposition in parliament is no longer functioning optimally, the role of civil society becomes vital in maintaining democratic balance.
The issue of Dark Indonesia was also raised by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad in a meeting with union leaders and labor confederations ahead of the commemoration of International Labor Day. In the forum, Dasco emphasized the importance of unity between the government, the House of Representatives, and labor groups to face global challenges.
According to him, economic challenges can only be faced if all parties are united and optimistic about the future. He considered that Indonesia has a bright future, seen from the potential of natural resources and the quality of human resources it has.
On that occasion, Dasco also said that President Prabowo is determined to improve workers’ welfare through a wage increase plan of up to 10 percent. He hopes that with this policy, people’s purchasing power can be boosted and economic growth will be more positive. This shows that the government is not turning a blind eye to the demands of the people, but is instead trying to respond with policies that favor the welfare of the people.
A similar attitude was also shown by the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Dr. KH. Marsudi Syuhud, who emphasized that negative narratives such as Dark Indonesia can emerge when people’s expectations are not in line with reality. According to him, in conditions like this, people must be wise and not provoked. He invited all parties to maintain a balance between desires and abilities, so as not to get caught up in pessimism which is actually detrimental.
KH. Marsudi assessed that President Prabowo’s leadership brought a spirit of optimism that was in line with religious values, namely building with a spirit of togetherness, not blaming each other or spreading fear. He also reminded that differences of opinion must be conveyed openly and responsibly, not in a way that divides the nation. According to him, constructive criticism is important in shaping a better and more inclusive direction for development.
The Dark Indonesia narrative should not be seen as a threat, but rather as a reflection of the voice of the people who want change. However, in a democratic country, every narrative must be balanced with facts and based on a spirit of building, not just blaming. When critical voices are responded to with dialogue and concrete steps as the government has taken, then a positive signal for improvement becomes apparent.
The public is expected not to be fixated on the gloomy picture that continues to be echoed by some groups, but to start to be actively involved in the process of change. The future of the nation cannot be determined by one side alone, either by the ruler or the opposition. The future of Indonesia, bright or dark, depends greatly on the collaboration between all elements of the nation. Therefore, rather than being lost in the narrative of darkness, let’s together push for real change with a spirit of optimism, cooperation, and shared responsibility for a brighter Indonesia.
*) National Political Analyst – Indonesian Democracy Study Forum
