By: Samuel Christian Galal
The mass movement promoting the narrative of ‘Indonesia Gelap’ (Dark Indonesia) has continued to attract attention. However, in a period of national stability, this movement poses a risk of harming society by spreading unfounded panic.
The attempt to provoke through the ‘Indonesia Gelap’ theme is deemed irrelevant. It has the potential to disrupt social order and create unrest during a time when the government is working to maintain economic balance and public welfare. If panic continues to spread, it could erode trust in government policies, destabilize markets, and lower the optimism of business actors who contribute to the national economy.
This movement has led to chaos in several regions across Indonesia. In East Java, for instance, a demonstration turned violent when protesters attempted to enter the local DPRD building and set fire to coffins and banners, prompting security forces to take firm action. In Jakarta, demonstrators threw plastic bottles, trash, and sticks at security officers.
Meanwhile, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, protesters blocked the Trans-Sulawesi route, causing significant traffic jams and inconveniencing the public they claim to represent.
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the current budget efficiency policies are on the right track for the benefit of the people. In his speech at the 17th anniversary of the Gerindra Party, he expressed confidence that these policies will have a positive impact on the public.
The efficiency of the ministry’s budget, amounting to Rp306 trillion, is part of a larger strategy to strengthen the national economy without sacrificing public services. The government’s commitment to this policy reflects serious efforts to maintain fiscal stability. Prabowo reiterated that this efficiency is not simply about budget cuts, but about aligning government spending to ensure it is more targeted and provides direct benefits to the people.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati dismissed concerns regarding the termination of honorarium workers due to budget efficiency. During a press conference at the DPR RI building, she clarified that there would be no layoffs of honorarium workers within ministries and agencies.
The government is restructuring the budget to ensure efficient spending while safeguarding the rights of honorarium workers. The President’s Instruction No. 1 of 2025 on Efficiency of Budget Implementation in APBN and APBD is a key reference in optimizing the budget without compromising workers’ welfare.
Minister Sri Mulyani explained that this restructuring process involves in-depth evaluation of each ministry and agency’s needs to ensure spending remains efficient while maintaining employee welfare, including honorarium workers who play an important role in public service continuity.
Additionally, the inflation rate being well-controlled further indicates that the national economy is on a stable path. Ramadhan Wafid Mustafa, a senior statistician at the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in Nunukan, revealed that inflation within the range of 1.5% to 3.5% would not significantly impact public purchasing power.
Though inflation is often linked to decreased purchasing power, price stability within this range allows for normal economic activity. On the other hand, uncontrolled inflation, whether too low or too high, can harm the overall economy. Ramadhan added that if inflation were to drop below 1.5%, economic growth could slow down, while if it surged above 3.5%, prices would rise significantly, burdening public purchasing power.
These facts suggest that the narrative promoted by the ‘Indonesia Gelap’ movement lacks a solid foundation. The current national situation remains stable due to the various strategic policies that the government has implemented.
The spread of information meant to cause panic will only have negative consequences for the public, particularly during a time of economic recovery. Public trust in government policies, based on data and facts, must be strengthened so that it is not easily shaken by harmful provocations.
Movements based on provocation and misinformation can create instability that harms many parties. Instead of succumbing to baseless fears, society should be more discerning in filtering information and understanding the government’s steps to maintain national stability.
Economic and social resilience relies not only on government policies but also on how the public reacts to information circulating in the public space. Awareness of fake news and hoaxes is crucial in maintaining a conducive environment.
In such times, wise acceptance of information is key to avoiding the negative impacts of actions that could worsen the situation. The public should avoid being easily provoked by movements that lack factual basis and remain active in maintaining a conducive environment.
By understanding the current economic conditions and policies in place, the common interests of society can be better protected without being swayed by provocations that could cause harm. Both the government and the public share the responsibility to preserve social order and ensure that emerging narratives do not worsen the situation but serve as the foundation for collective progress.
The author is a contributor at Gala Indomedia Institute.
