Beware of Interest Groups Riding on the Dark Indonesia Action

By: Deka Prawira

The call for the Dark Indonesia action should be watched out for as a potential disruption to national stability. Amidst various developing issues, the public needs to be careful of the possibility of provocation that could worsen the situation. Various political interests often use demonstrations as a tool to achieve certain goals, which are not always in line with the interests of the wider community.

Several interest groups can take advantage of the momentum of the mass action, including the Dark Indonesia action to spread disinformation and provoke the masses in order to create instability. Developing issues, such as allegations of cuts to the education budget and government efficiency policies, have become the main material for propaganda that has the potential to mislead.
In fact, the facts on the ground show that the efficiency policies implemented by the government do not touch strategic sectors that have a direct impact on society, including education.
The Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati has ensured that the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP) scholarship program will continue without budget cuts. The government has allocated IDR 14.69 trillion for 1,040,192 KIP scholarship recipients in the 2025 budget year.

In addition, other scholarship programs such as the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs scholarship are still running as they should. Thus, accusations that the government is reducing the education budget have no strong basis and are more directed at efforts to sway public opinion.

The Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Hasan Nasbi also emphasized that the budget efficiency carried out by the government will not have an impact on public services, including education.
The government is actually paying great attention to the education sector by targeting improvements to more than 10,000 schools by 2025. This step shows President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to improving the quality of national education and ensuring that every child has access to decent education.

In addition, the government is also integrating international curricula into the national education system to increase the competitiveness of Indonesian students on the global stage. On the other hand, various programs to improve student welfare, such as the provision of nutritious food, continue to be strengthened to support a better teaching and learning process. The issue that the government is ignoring the education sector is not only wrong but can also be exploited by certain parties to worsen the situation.

The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) also ensured that the budget efficiency of IDR 11 trillion in the Directorate General of Islamic Education would not disrupt education services in madrasas and universities.

Special Staff of the Minister of Religion, Farid F. Saenong emphasized that the ministry would implement budget efficiency while maintaining the quality of education services. The Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar is also committed to continuing to provide the best service to the community even though there are budget adjustments in several sectors.

With clarification from various parties, mass actions that highlight education issues are at risk of being exploited by groups that have hidden agendas. The public is advised not to be easily provoked by baseless narratives and to stick to the facts that have been confirmed by the relevant authorities.

Demonstrations that aim to voice aspirations are legitimate democratically, but if driven by non-transparent motives, will only have a negative impact on national stability.

The movement of students and elements of society in expressing their opinions needs to be carried out carefully and based on valid information. Propaganda that exaggerates certain issues without a clear basis can trigger unrest and even wider social conflict. Therefore, it is important for all parties to remain vigilant against potential provocations that can harm common interests.

In the political and social context, mass actions are often a tool for parties who want to create instability for certain interests. Narratives that are built with the aim of provoking public emotions without being supported by facts can be a powerful weapon for groups that have hidden political agendas. Therefore, it is important for the public to be critical of any information circulating and not get caught up in the flow of propaganda that can worsen the national situation.
A stable state is a primary prerequisite for sustainable development. Demonstrations that are carried out with constructive goals and based on facts are certainly part of a healthy democracy.