Prabowo's 'Londo Ireng' Remarks Delegitimize Public Oversight, Says Transparency Group

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. "When the head of state repeatedly labels journalists, academics, and civil society organizations as 'londo ireng' or 'foreign stooges', what happens is no longer a clash of ideas, but a systematic attempt to delegitimize public oversight," Jilul said, as quoted from a written statement on Sunday, July 26, 2026.MTI notes that the "londo ireng" incidents are not isolated events. Based on a review of mainstream media coverage, MTI finds at least seven documented episodes of negative labeling, political insults, or stigmatizing accusations made by President Prabowo against his own people since taking office in October 2024.Starting from the accusation of "foreign stooges" at the Great Indonesia Party's Anniversary on February 15, 2025, and the briefing for teachers at the People's School on August 22, 2025; the question of "pure or someone paid?" to the demonstrators rejecting the Indonesian National Armed Forces Law in Hambalang on April 6, 2025; as well as the accusation of foreign forces dividing during the Birth of Pancasila Day on June 2, 2025.Then, there's the accusation of "treason and terrorism" during the August 2025 demonstrations on August 31, 2025; the claim of "I know who pays for the demo" at the Peaks of the National Farmer Fishermen Week XVII 2026 in Gorontalo on June 24, 2026; to the phrase "londo ireng" on the Birth of the National Awakening Party on July 23, 2026.MTI reminds Prabowo that a democratic state cannot be equated with a military organization hierarchy. In the barracks, unconditional obedience is a doctrine. However, in a democratic state, diversity of views and critical voices are an absolute requirement to prevent the slide of power into autocracy. MTI emphasizes that Prabowo must understand that criticism from citizens, journalists, and academics is, in fact, the most genuine form of love for the Homeland. MT asserts that the people speak out because they care about the direction of the nation's journey.Moreover, MTI also highlights the repeated statements from the Presidential Palace claiming that the government is "not anti-criticism". MTI assesses that this commitment should not stop at sweet rhetoric on the podium, but must be manifested in concrete daily attitudes.MTI insists that real action starts by refraining from framing public criticism as the handiwork of foreign powers or traitors of the nation. MTI asks the government to respond to policy criticism rationally through data explanations and improvement of work, not through verbal counterattacks or negative labeling.MTI also urges the government to distinguish between crimes that genuinely undermine the state, which can be processed through legal channels, and public criticism that must be guaranteed and protected by the constitution. "Once again, criticism must not be treated as a crime, must not be responded to with negative stigma, let alone criminalized," said Jilul.During his speech at the peak of the 28th Anniversary of the National Awakening Party on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Prabowo accused critical groups as a modern manifestation of 'londo ireng'. The term 'londo ireng' is often attached as an accusation of treachery for native people who helped perpetuate the power of colonizers or foreigners.In his speech, Prabowo initially stated that Indonesia is a democratic country. The Head of State also emphasized that his government is not anti-criticism.However, he said there are people in Indonesia who are happy to serve and be loyal to other nations. "That's what we used to call 'londo ireng,' who fought with the Dutch against us. These 'londo ireng' are still around today," said Prabowo at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, on Thursday night.The Chair of the Great Indonesia Party claimed that this group is now present in various guises. "Journalists, reporters, observers, NGOs (civil society organizations)," said Prabowo.Prabowo then questioned who pays the NGOs. "Who pays your electricity, who pays for your cell phone?" he said.Read: Prabowo Urged to Apologize for Calling Journalists 'Londo Ireng'Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News