Eka Yudha Saputra, Ninis Chairunnisa, Jakarta – All Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI) coordinator Herianto has responded to insinuations made by President Prabowo Subianto about protest actions by the Dark Indonesia (#IndonesiaGelap) movement.

Herianto asserted that the Dark Indonesia actions held by BEM SI was not just a symbol of anger, but rather a call to people's conscience at seeing democratic space being narrowed, increasingly expensive education, sharp economic inequalities and environmental damage that continued to be left unaddressed.

"We took to the streets not because we hate the country, but because we love it", Herianto told Tempo, on Wednesday April 9.

Herianto said he was ready to hold a dialogue with President Prabowo as long as it is open and honest. He will refuse if the invitation is just limited to imaging building or to appease the wave of resistance.

"Don't let the space for dialogue only become a space for a monologue of power", said Herianto. "Because for us, the students' voices are not noisy, but the voice of the nation's conscience."

During an interview with six leading national media editors at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Sunday April 6, Prabowo questioned the demonstrations that have taken place. He claimed to respect the right to demonstrate, but suspects that the demonstrator were paid.

"Pay close attention, were the protests genuine or paid? We have to be objective, okay", said Prabowo, as quoted on the Narasi News Room YouTube channel. Narasi channel founder Najwa Shihab has permitted Tempo to quote Prabowo.

Prabowo said he respects demonstration as long as they are carried out peacefully and did not ignite riots. He is actually suspicious that the demonstrations up until now have been driven by foreign forces.

Prabowo also claimed to be surprised by people who still consider Indonesia to be dark when speaking before businesspeople and investors.

"I am also surprised that there are people who say that Indonesia is dark. If they feel it's dark, that's their right. But when I wake up in the morning, I see a bright Indonesia. Right, yes", said Prabowo at an informal discussion on the economy at the Menara Tower in Jakarta on Tuesday April 8.

According to Prabowo, not everyone considers Indonesia to be dark. He gave the example of farmers who were happy with his policies which he claimed have succeeded in increasing food production. According to Prabowo, the government succeeded in cutting regulations that made it difficult for farmers, including cutting obstacles to fertilizer distribution.

"Praise be to Allah, fertilizer that was scarce, being smuggled, corrupted, now reaches the villages", he said.

The Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chairperson said that Indonesia is facing challenges but the situation can still be controlled. "I will not forbid people who always see darkness. If there are people who want to see darkness, that up to them", he said.

Dark Indonesia is a hashtag that became a trending topic on social media X on Monday February 17. The viral Dark Indonesian hashtag was a slogan used by citizens to highlight various problems under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Dark Indonesia then became the slogan of a student protest movement around the country. The previous BEM SI coordinator Satria Naufal said that the Dark Indonesian titled was interpreted as the fear felt by Indonesian citizens over the future of the nation.

"For us, Dark Indonesia is enough to represent fear, concern, and citizen's welfare", said Naufal when contacted on Monday February 17.

According to Naufal, under Prabowo's leadership, people are often haunted by issues and policies that do not support the interests of the ordinary people.

BEM SI organised a massive protest action titled Dark Indonesia in front of the State Palace on February 20 which were held to coincide with the simultaneous inauguration of recently elected regional heads by Prabowo.

– Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to writing this article

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "BEM SI Tanggapi Sindiran Prabowo soal Aksi Indonesia Gelap".]

Source: https://www.tempo.co/politik/bem-si-tanggapi-sindiran-prabowo-soal-aksi-indonesia-gelap-1229327