Nicholas Ryan Aditya, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – Reverend Jacky Manuputty, a member of the National Conscience Movement (GNB), believes that Indonesian democracy is currently facing serious challenges that have the potential to undermine its fundamental principles, particularly civil liberties, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
He touched on the terror threats against academics and influencers who have expressed critical opinions, including those related to disaster management in Sumatra at the end of 2025.
"Currently, Indonesian democracy is facing serious challenges that weaken democratic principles. Such as threats to civil liberties and supremacy, as well as freedom of the press", Manuputty said during a GNB press conference at the Cathedral Church in Jakarta on Tuesday January 13.
Manuputty said that the terror experienced by activists, academics and influencers varies from sending animal carcasses, vandalising vehicles, online doxing to throwing Molotov cocktails at homes.
"Instead of engaging in equal dialogue as a manifestation of meaningful participation, the state often uses violence to stifle citizens' critical voices", said Manuputty.
He also touched on similar terror and violence that occurred during the deliberations on revisions to the Draft Law on the Indonesian Military (RUU TNI), labour demonstrations, conflicts surrounding National Strategic Projects (PSN), the special situation in Papua and the controversy over House of Representative (DPR) members' allowances, which were deemed to have violated the public's sense of justice.
Manuputty cited a 2025 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report that ranked Indonesia's democratic quality at 6.30 on a scale of 10 and categorised it as a flawed democracy.
"Indonesia is categorised as a flawed democracy. The general election went well, but there were problems with political culture, respect for civil liberties, as well as the functioning of government agencies", he said.
Terror attacks against DJ Donny
As previously reported, influencer and content creator Ramond Dony Adam, better known as DJ Donny, is now in the public spotlight after he experienced a series of terror attacks that threatened his and his family's safety.
From the delivery of a chicken caresses to the throwing of a Molotov cocktail at his home, he has officially reported this intimidation to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police.
The first incident began on Monday evening, December 29, 2025, when his wife found a suspicious package at their home.
When it was opened, the package contained a headless chicken carcass along with a piece of paper containing a threat addressed to Donny.
In the message, the anonymous sender threatened Donny's safety if he continued to speak out on social media, especially in criticising policies and public issues.
The motivation behind the incidents is strongly suspected to be related to Donny's criticism of government policies, including those related to the Sumatra disaster and its management.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Influencer Diteror, GNB: Demokrasi Indonesia Hadapi Tantangan Serius".]
