Journalist: I'm a journalists, my job is to report the truth!
TV Presenter: I'm a TV presenter, I reject fake news!
Intellectual: I'm an intellectual, I'm not prepared to take to the streets!
Kid: I'm a kid, but I'm critical! I'm also a Black Dutchman!
The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) has condemned President Prabowo Subianto's statement equating journalists, observers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with the term londo ireng (Black Dutchman).
YLBHI believes the statement is not merely a joke, but rather a form of labelling against groups critical of the government. YLBHI Chairperson Muhammad Isnur believes this labelling contradicts the spirit of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of opinion, association, information and oversight of government.
"This labelling betrays the mandate of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia which places sovereignty in the hands of the people and guarantees freedom of expression, association, assembly, information, and oversight of government", said Isnur on July 24.
According to the YLBHI, criticism of the government cannot be equated with actions detrimental to the state. The organisation emphasised that the government is not the state, and the President is not the sole representative of the republic.
The YLBHI also warned that every statement by the President has political consequences because it is delivered in his capacity as head of state and government.
"When the President speaks, he does not speak as an ordinary citizen. He speaks with the authority of his office, power over the bureaucracy, and influence over the police, military, intelligence, and all government agencies", he said.
According to the YLBHI, labelling journalists, academics, observers and NGOs has the potential to trigger intimidation, restrictions on activities and even criminalisation of critical groups. The organisation believes this risk is not something that is theoretical in character because various forms of intimidation against journalists, human rights defenders, students and civil society have occurred repeatedly.
During his address at the National Awakening Party's (PKB) 28th anniversary event, President Prabowo Subianto accused critical groups of acting as a modern form of londo ireng. The term, which means "Black Dutchman" in Javanese, historically refers to Indonesian soldiers who aided Dutch colonial rule, and was directed at journalists, experts and NGOs critical of the government.
"We know there are Indonesians who are happy to serve and devote themselves to other nations. That is what we used to call londo ireng, who fought with the Dutch against us", Prabowo said at the Jakarta Convention Centre on Thursday evening, July 23. "These londo ireng are still around, except now they wear different clothes. Journalists, observers, activists, NGOs", he added.
[Abridged from an Indoleft translation by James Balowski. The original article can be read here: https://aktual.com/ylbhi-kecam-pernyataan-prabowo-soal-londo-ireng-nilai-ancam-kebebasan-kritik/.]
