Rejecting the May 20 Protest: Countering the “Dark Indonesia” Narrative to Preserve National Stability
By: Fadil Muhammad
(National Political Analyst – Mandala Raya Political Forum)
May 20, which should serve as a reflective moment to commemorate Reform Day, is instead at risk of being overshadowed by street protests that could potentially undermine national stability. Plans for demonstrations promoted by various groups, including students, have sparked concern across different sectors due to their potential to trigger social unrest amid the early transition of the new government.
Former Commander of the National Volunteer Team for the Prabowo-Gibran campaign, Haris Rusly Moti, warned that the recent surge in student protests is highly vulnerable to foreign interference. According to Haris, external powers could infiltrate these movements with hidden geopolitical agendas, inciting social provocation through social media and propaganda. He believes that the current stable situation makes Indonesia a tempting target for those who do not want to see the nation stand strong on its own feet.
Haris emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has taken crucial steps to strengthen national economic sovereignty. Policies such as Indonesia’s entry into the BRICS economic bloc, the formation of Danantara and the Gold Bank, and the new regulation mandating the repatriation of export earnings, serve as clear indicators that Indonesia’s economic direction now prioritizes national interests. However, he also noted that these policies may not align with the interests of entrenched elites who have benefited from the previous system.
In his view, some of the student protests stem from misunderstandings regarding the government’s strategic policies. Issues such as budget efficiency and foreign debt management are indeed important, but they can be misused by actors seeking to stir unrest. He pointed out that such discourse is often framed in a biased and even provocative manner.
Furthermore, Haris argued that the bleak narratives currently circulating about Indonesia are part of a broader effort to create social division and distort public perception of the government. He called on the public to be more discerning in processing information and to avoid being provoked into participating in demonstrations not based on a comprehensive understanding of the facts.
A similar sentiment was expressed by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi. He criticized claims that Indonesia is in a state of “darkness” or experiencing a multidimensional crisis, asserting that the government continues to address various challenges. Prasetyo stated that such narratives are not reflective of reality and only serve to incite unnecessary public anxiety.
He stressed that the Prabowo-Gibran administration has only been in office for a few months and is still undergoing consolidation and institutional restructuring. In this context, the public is encouraged to give the government time and space to implement its development agendas. Prasetyo underscored the importance of maintaining optimism and unity, noting that the nation is in the same boat and must support each other.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, emphasized that public demands have never been ignored. He stated that the issues raised in the earlier “Dark Indonesia Volume 1” movement have been acknowledged and followed up with concrete government programs. He also reminded the public not to be easily swayed by provocative narratives that could damage the democratic order.
According to Cucun, true democracy is not a platform for venting anger without offering solutions, but rather a means for constructive dialogue. He warned that demonstrations that violate the law and incite social conflict ultimately harm democracy itself.
Maintaining social harmony amidst differing opinions is essential to sustaining democracy. When the call to protest on May 20 is wrapped in a tendentious narrative of resistance, the public must respond critically. Movements lacking moral legitimacy and supported by incomplete data and analysis risk losing public trust.
Mass actions that are not carefully managed can lead to polarization and horizontal conflict. Meanwhile, the current government is pushing forward various structural reforms, including bureaucratic overhauls, infrastructure development, and strengthening a people-centered economy. These programs require a stable sociopolitical environment to be effective and to yield tangible benefits for the people.
Expressing criticism is valid and necessary in a democratic system, but it must be done responsibly and within a constructive framework. When protests are used merely as tools of pressure without offering solutions, democracy loses its true essence as a two-way dialogue between the people and the government.
In this digital era, the public must possess a high level of information literacy. Not all viral narratives reflect the truth, and not all harsh criticisms are grounded in sound analysis. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the information we consume and not be swept away by momentary emotions.
As a nation that has weathered numerous crises and conflicts, Indonesia must continue to mature in its democratic practices. Dialogue, consultation, and participation through formal channels should be prioritized over mass mobilizations that are vulnerable to manipulation by opportunistic interests.
Rejecting the May 20 protest is not an anti-democratic stance—it is a conscious choice to preserve a healthy and accountable democratic system. When national security is compromised for the sake of short-term political actions, it is the broader public that suffers. Stability is the cornerstone of sustainable development, and in the current context, safeguarding stability means securing the nation’s future.
Indonesia must not fall back into internal conflicts that only hinder the reform process. On the contrary, Reform Day should inspire unity and change through collaboration—not confrontation. Peace is not the antithesis of change—it is its foundation. By rejecting the provocation of the May 20 protest, we are choosing a rational and responsible path toward a stronger and more unified Indonesia.
