Prabowo's 'Londo Ireng' Remarks Delegitimize Public Oversight, Says Transparency Group
The Transparency Indonesia Society (MTI) has criticized President Prabowo Subianto for labeling journalists and civil society members as 'londo ireng' or foreign stooges. MTI argues this rhetoric delegitimizes public oversight and harms the quality of Indonesian democracy.
Why it matters
The use of inflammatory rhetoric by a head of state against critics raises concerns about the shrinking space for democratic participation and accountability.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transparency Indonesia Society (MTI) assesses that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's statement likening journalists, observers, and civil society organizations to 'londo ireng' (meaning black Dutchman--a term to refer to local individuals who Prabowo claims serve foreign powers or interests over their own country) as an attempt to delegitimize public oversight. MTI asserts that the fundamental issue of the statement lies not only in its legality.According to MTI, the narrative conveyed by Prabowo has destructive implications for the quality of democracy. MTI states that the systematic labeling of 'londo ireng' shifts the focus from the substance of criticism to suspicion of the critics' motives, thus narrowing the space for public participation as a key prerequisite for accountability of power.MTI Executive Director Ahmad Jilul Qurani Farid emphasizes that criticism is the oxygen of democracy, not treason.
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