Squeezed Democracy, Strong Power?

JAKARTA - Democracy as a government system that prioritizes people's participation, freedom of opinion, and fair law enforcement has become an important foundation for Indonesia since the 1998 reform era. However, in recent years, especially during the Prabowo - Gibran administration, various actions were suspected of contributing to the decline in democracy as long as this new government was running.

The 'Democracy Index 2023: Age of Conflict' report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Indonesian Democracy is considered to be ranked 56th with a score of 6.53, down two levels from 2022 or a score of 6.71. Measurements of the EIU Democracy Index include five dimensions, namely the process of election and pluralism, government function, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. With this score, Indonesian democracy falls into the category of defects (flawed democracy).

The same assessment was conveyed by Freedom House, the value of the Indonesian democracy index fell from 62 in 2019 to 57 in 2024. The US-based institution recorded a number of key issues, one of which was related to dynastic politics which was launched with various 'siasat' outsmarting the law for certain dynasty interests. A number of parties believe that the Constitutional Court's decision 90 is a practice that injures democracy where the passing of Gibran Rakabuming Raka as vice president leaves a public question mark.

100 days of government Prabowo a number of institutions also provided assessments and notes, including the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI). According to YLBHI research in 100 days the government of President Prabowo Subianto. Noting a number of National Strategic Projects began to be intensified by using its bureaucratic superstructure in the form of ministers with military backgrounds and the deployment of state defense and security forces (arms and police) to launch the process of land acquisition and project security, the posture of the fat ministry, and also increasing VAT. This was done to realize an ambitious program to increase economic growth to reach 8%.

"However, there are at least five serious problems and lead to the destruction of democracy, the State of Law, and the neglect of human rights." wrote Isnur, one of the YLBHI administrators, in the 100-day record of the Prabowo-Gibran Government, received by VOI, February 23.

Furthermore, Isnu assessed that these five problems have proven that Prabowo is trying to step on democracy as an effort to stability his power in the next five years by cooperating with military carriages further into civilian affairs. In the future, the people will be faced with state actors directly in structural conflicts.

From the beginning of the term of appointment as presidential and vice presidential candidates who were elected through the 2024 election process. Has carried out various political strategies, ranging from carrying out the formation of KIM (Indonesian Forward Coalition) which involved large parties with fat numbers that were said to involve President Jokowi by carrying the idea of sustainability, to attracting almost all parties in one coalition.

Intervention Of Apparatus In Civil Affairs

A number of parties also provided records of minus democracy related to 100 days of the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Several competitions such as ISEAS, Indonesian Legal Aid Institutes, academic alumni of IPB University, University of Indonesia Academics, and the Institute for Essential Services Reform agreed that the discourse on strengthening military roles in civil duties and several other areas had hurt democracy. Several records minus the Prabowo-Gibran government;

For example, Limited Freedom of Expression, One of the main indicators of democracy is freedom of expression. However, in recent years, many reports highlight the increasing pressure on groups critical of the government. Activists, journalists, and civil society organizations often face intimidation, criminal accusations, or even physical violence when voicing opposing opinions with the government. This raises questions about the government's commitment to safeguarding democratic space for dissent.

Recently, a youth band group named Sukatani who sang a song of criticism to the Police with the title Pay, Pay, Pay get intervention and intimidation by the authorities and was required to apologize to the National Police Chief. Former Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Muhammad Isnur condemned the actions of the police who intervened with Sukatani musicians for the withdrawal of the song 'Pay Pay Payment.' He considered that the actions of these officers violated the constitution and endangered democracy. "Police cannot silence art expressions by means of intimidation. According to him, art is a form of freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution," said Isnur.

Military intervention in Civil Affairs, in the first 100 days of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, various strategic policies emerged that marked the direction of their leadership. One aspect that is in the main spotlight is the increasingly stronger militaristic approach, while civilian actors appear to be getting weaker in public policy making.

There are concerns that the military is increasingly involved in civil affairs, which can threaten democratic principles. For example, the military's involvement in handling protests or social conflicts is often considered an excessive and disproportionate step as an example of the TNI's massive personal involvement in the development of food supply, there is a Military Mobilization involved in a food estate project in Merauke that has the potential to damage TNI professionals and has the potential to violate the human rights of TNI involvement in this project, triggering concern for indigenous peoples.

Heavy Law Enforcement Next To

Discriminatory Law Enforcement, fair and non-discriminatory law enforcement is an important pillar of democracy that has been awaited. However, in some cases, law enforcement in Indonesia is considered selective and inconsistent. Groups that are critical of the government are often targeted, while corruption cases or human rights violations involving political elites do not get serious attention.

Baru ini pemerintahan, ada pernyataan Prabowo, yang mengejutkan pblik ia memiliki ide akan memperlalukan koruptor asal masyarakat kembalikan uang hasil korupsi The idea itu menuai banyak kritik dan kecaman. Namun menurut Dr. Hendry Noor Julian, SH pengajar kelaku faculty Hukum, dari perspektif hukum, status seseorang sebagai koruptor harus berdasarkan pada putusan hukum yang berkekuatan tetap. Jika benar ada mesesok yang memungkinkan koruptor lebas setelah mengembalikan uang negara, hal ini akan menimbulkan banyak masalah, terutama dalam hal penegakan hukum dan keadilangan. Kalau melihat pranata dan aparat yang ada saat yang ada saat, saya bahkan kurang kurang yakin di atas 20 persen kebijakan ini bisa berhasil, ujarnya.

Media and Disinformation control is also in the spotlight, the media as the fourth pillar of democracy has an important role in providing accurate and balanced information. However, in recent years, there have been concerns about increasing government control over the media, both through regulation and economic pressure. In addition, the rise of disinformation and hoaxes spread through social media has influenced public opinion and exacerbated political polarization.

"Are there journalists here? They are here waiting for me to say the wrong thing," said Prabowo.

Prabowo's attitude in boycotting the press was not the first time. In 2014, to be precise on July 9, 2014, in Hambalang Bogor, when he was still a presidential candidate in the 2014 presidential election, Prabowo also scolded a number of television journalists. A number of journalists from Berita Satu, Kompas TV, and Metro TV.

The resignation of the quality of democracy during the Prabowo Subianto administration cannot be underestimated. Despite efforts to maintain political and security stability, the steps taken are often considered to sacrifice the basic principles of democracy. To ensure that Indonesia remains a democratic country, strong commitments from all parties, including the government, to maintain freedom of expression, respect human rights, and ensure fair and non-discriminatory law enforcement.

Democracy is not something static; it requires continuous care and protection. Otherwise, we risk losing the achievements that have been achieved hard since the Reformation era.