OPINION
“Under the banner of national strategic projects (PSN), vast areas of land are forcefully taken from communities, often without proper compensation or legal justification. Such projects, instead of serving the public good, become avenues for corporate greed and government complicity,”
By : Muslim Arbi
Director of Change Movement
INDONESIA stands at a critical juncture under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. Instead of the promised prosperity and security, the nation is sinking into a deepening crisis, marked by rampant corruption, police brutality, land grabs under the guise of national strategic projects, and an alarming push to manipulate the constitution for the benefit of a ruling elite.
Unprecedented Corruption and the Abuse of Power
Under Prabowo’s rule, corruption has reached new and unprecedented levels. The state apparatus, meant to serve the people, is increasingly hijacked by oligarchs and political elites who exploit public resources for their own benefit. Billions of rupiah disappear into the hands of a select few, while essential services for ordinary citizens deteriorate. Instead of curbing corruption, the regime appears to be fostering it, with little to no accountability for those in power.
State Violence: The Police as a Tool of Oppression
Indonesia’s security forces, particularly the police, have become an instrument of fear rather than protection. Reports of excessive force, extrajudicial actions, and crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations are becoming more frequent. The suppression of dissenting voices, including activists, journalists, and opposition figures, signals a growing authoritarianism. Democracy, once a source of pride for Indonesia, is now being dismantled under the weight of state-sponsored violence.
Land Grabs Disguised as National Projects
The case of land seizures in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 2, allegedly orchestrated by Agung Sedayu Group and its powerful backers, exemplifies how private interests override the rights of ordinary citizens. Under the banner of national strategic projects (PSN), vast areas of land are forcefully taken from communities, often without proper compensation or legal justification. Such projects, instead of serving the public good, become avenues for corporate greed and government complicity.
Manipulating the Constitution for Dynastic Rule
Perhaps the most dangerous development under Prabowo’s administration is the effort to amend the constitution to secure political dynasties. If left unchecked, these maneuvers could erode Indonesia’s democratic foundations, paving the way for a family-centered autocracy rather than a government chosen by the people. The legacy of reformasi is under threat, as power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few at the expense of democratic institutions.
The Path Forward: Resisting the Darkness
Indonesia’s future hangs in the balance. Civil society, independent media, and opposition voices must remain vigilant and vocal against these authoritarian tendencies. International allies and democratic institutions should also play their part in holding the government accountable. The Indonesian people have fought hard for democracy, and they must not allow it to be eroded by unchecked corruption, violence, and power consolidation.
If this trajectory continues, Indonesia may find itself not as the prosperous nation it aspires to be, but as a cautionary tale of democratic backsliding. The time to resist this decline is now—before the darkness becomes irreversible. Jakarta: March 4, 2025. (**)
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