Wakanda No More, Indonesia Forever: Highlighting Anies Baswedan's Promise On Freedom Of Opinion

Anies Baswedan's style when delivering his closing statement at the first presidential election debate event in 2024 at the General Elections Commission Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/12/2023). (YouTube screenshot)

"We don't allow any more situations where people are afraid, so I convey Wakanda no more, Indonesia forever," said Anies Baswedan, who was greeted by applause from his supporters.

This sentence was conveyed by Anies Baswedan as a closing statement or closing statement at the debate of the first edition presidential and vice president candidates organized by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Tuesday (12/12/2023) night. The sentence of Wakanda no more, Indonesia forever immediately became a hot topic of conversation among residents, after the inaugural debate was completed.

The term Wakanda is very popular among the public, especially young people. Quoting Dictionary.com, Wakanda is a fictitious country in the series of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, and became the birthplace of one of their superheroes, Black Panther.

In the film, Wakanda is described as a closed country but has advanced technology thanks to the use of vibranium. Wakanda residents also really appreciate and maintain their culture.

In Indonesia, Wakanda is often used by netizens for expression or comment on everything that has a negative stigma in the country. Wakanda is also often used to describe disappointment, and satire, both against the government and law enforcement.

People can easily find the word Wakanda on social media. One example is, 'Only in the country of Wakanda, law enforcers only act after it goes viral.'

Wakanda said in the sentence is to replace Indonesia. It is a bit ironic, when the Wakanda, which is described as very positive in the series of MCU films, actually has a negative connotation in Indonesia.

Political Communication Expert from Padjadjaran University Bandung, Kunto Adi Wibowo said Indonesia's replacement with Wakanda was a form of satire for repressive actions taken by the government.

"That's right, satire for repressive actions. Wakanda is a kind of chaos or a kind of euphemism about Indonesia which is very unsafe, why are people afraid, so if there is a corruption case or a case of persecution, we will call it Wakanda, right," said Kunto.

Wakanda no more, Indonesia forever. ☝🏻#AMINAjaDulu #DebatCapres #PemiluDamai2024 pic.twitter.com/GnSXouvSnV

— Anies Rasyid Baswedan (@aniesbaswedan) December 13, 2023

Wakanda no more, Indonesia forever. #AMINAjaDulu #DebatCapres #PemiluDamai2024 pic.twitter.com/GnSXouvSnV

"People's fear or some kind of insult that ideal Indonesia doesn't exist, the existence of Wakanda," he continued.

It is not known who first used Wakanda to mention Indonesia on social media. However, according to a number of sources, in disguise the word Indonesia was carried out by netizens to avoid the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE). As is known, the ITE Law is often used to silence criticism, or as a tool to threaten someone who criticizes.

According to a report by the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), as many as 393 people were charged with Article ITE Law in the 2013-2021 period.

Based on the background, in 2021 the victims of the ITE Law which came from activists reached 10 people or 26.3 percent of the total victims. Eight people (21.1 percent) were victims of violence, and seven people (18.4 percent) came from the community. Other victims come from journalists, academics, students, laborers, politicians, and community organizations.

"In terms of freedom of expression, more and more public officials use the rubber article Law No. 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (UU ITE) to silence the voices of critical groups," said SAFEnet in the Indonesia 2021 Digital Rights Situation Report.

Wakanda went viral after the first debate of the 2024 presidential election. Anies Baswedan used Wakanda in his closing sentence at the debate.

Throughout the debate, this number one presidential candidate often mentions the freedom of confinement, not to mention the law which according to him is "sharp downwards, blunt upwards". Anies also mentioned the millennials and Generation Z who criticized the government for being often faced with violence.

Then, for young people, our young people are all aware of this election about the future. You are the owner of the future. I'm sure you will choose to be serious about becoming president, not playing for president," Anies said in the closing sentence of the debate.

"And when we talk about the future, then I want to convey to everyone, freedom of expression will be guaranteed. We don't allow any more situations where people are afraid. Therefore, I say, Wakanda no more, Indonesia forever," concluded Anies while crossing his hand in the style of Black Panther.

literally, Wakanda no more in Indonesian is 'there is no more Wakanda'. Through this sentence, Anies Baswedan wants to convince the public that if he is elected president next year, then there is no need to use the word Wakanda to criticize the bad things that happen in Indonesia. Anies wants to ensure that freedom of expression will be given as widely as possible if he sits in the RI1 seat.

Using the word Wakanda which is synonymous with young people, Anies Baswedan also uses it to attract the attention of millennials and Z. As is known, more than 50 percent of voters in the upcoming 2024 presidential election are novice voters. Anies Baswedan hopes to get closer to these potential voters by using terms that are root in the ears of generation Z and millennials.

"So whoever wants to win, or if they want to choose a leader who brings new changes, they must be able to win the voices of young friends because they are significant," said Executive Director of the Elections Association for Democracy (Perludem), Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyanti.