Starting in Jakarta, from Feb 17 to Feb 21, a wave of demonstrations erupted under the banner of Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia), led by university students and various civil society organizations. The movement quickly spread to multiple regions, with thousands of protesters taking to the streets, storming local legislative offices and gathering at Jakarta’s Arjuna Wiwaha Statue area, just a stones’s throw from the Presidential Palace.

At the heart of this unrest lies President Prabowo Subianto’s budget cuts, which have affected crucial funding areas, including education. Additionally, protesters have raised concerns over the free nutritious meal program, which involves the Indonesian military (TNI) and National Police, fearing it signals a revival of the long-abolished Dwifungsi ABRI (dual-function role of the military).

Adding fuel to the fire is the growing suppression of a punk band from Purbalingga, Central Java over their song “Bayar, Bayar, Bayar” (Pay, pay, pay).

These demonstrations reflect deep public anxiety over the tightening grip of the elites on state policies, an alarming phenomenon known as state capture.

State capture occurs when government policies no longer serve the public interest but are instead manipulated by a small group of business and political elites with privileged acces to power Hellman, Jones and kaufmann in their study, “Seize the State, Seize the Day”, describe how, under these conditions, state institutions become subservient to private elite interest.

The Indonesia Gelap protests are a stark expression of public concern over the growing visibility of state capture in Indonesia. The dominance of business actors in government is no longer a mere suspicion, its’s an undeniable reality.

Data from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) reveals that at least 354 out of 580 (61 percent) members of the House of Representatives for the 2024-2029 term have business backgrounds. Meanwhile, key ministerial positions are now held by individuals with direct business interests.

As a results, the risk of conflicts of interest has skyrocketed. Democracy, which should serve as a toll to channel the spirations of teh people, is instead being hijacked by an oligarchy seeking to preserve its power.

One clear indication of state capture in the government’s fiscal policies, which seem increasingly designed to benefit elite groups. Presidential Intruction (Inpres) No. 1/2025 mandates budget cuts totaling Rp 306.69 trillion (US$20 billion), affecting vital sectors including funding reductions for oversight agencies such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which had its budget slashed by Rp 201 billion and the Supreme Court (Rp 2.2 trillion). This significantly weakens the mechanisms of checks and balances that should be the foundation of democracy.

Meanwhile, these budget cuts stand in stark contrast to the administration’s large-scale projects. One glaring example is Danantara, a new sovereign wealth fund led by figures closely tied to power.

Danantara has sparked controversy due to its potential role in facilitationg the exploitation of state resources for the benefit of a select few. the recent stateowned oil and gas company Pertamina corruption scandal, incolving fuel adulteration that cost the state trillions of Rupiah, has further highlighted the energy sector as a hot spot for systemic corruption.

This scandal should serve as a warning sign, prompting a critical reassessment of Danantara’s future. Wouldn’t it be reckless to grant legal immunity to Danantara’s operators under the guise of business discretion? No wonder the public is now urging the government to withdraw the project, viewing it as yet another vehicle for elite domination over key economic sectors.

The Indonesia Gelap protests underscore a rising public fear over the elite’s tightening grip on national policies. To prevent Indonesia from sinking further into the trap of state capture, the first and foremost step is to strengthen transparency and accountability in governance.

The government must ensure that every public policy, especially those involving budgets and strategic investments, is subject to rigorous oversight. Institutions like the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the Attorney General’s Office, and the Supreme Court must be strengthened, not weakened by budget cuts.

Furthermore, conflicts of interest between public officials and the business sector must be minimized by enforcing stricter regulations on the involvement of businesspeople in government positions. Clearer and tighter rules against concurrent roles in executive and business sectors must be implemented to prevent policies that solely benefit a select elite. Transparency principles should also be upheld in the management of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), including major projects like Danantara, ensuring that decisions prioritize public welfare over private gain.

Civil society and the media also play a crucial role in monitoring potential state capture. Press freedom must be protected to ensure that investigative journalism can continue exposing corruption and abuse of power.

When demonstrations like Indonesia Gelap erupt, it serves as a reminder that citizen participation is the last line of defense against oligarchic control over democracy. Therefore, repression of free expression and criminalization of public criticism must cease.

Finally, political system reforms are needed to broaden independent and public participation in the decision-making process. Political party funding must be made more transparent and less dependent on large donations from business elites, which often lead to political indebtedness.

If these measures are taken, democracy may no longer serve as a mere tool for a select few to maintain their interests but instead, a system where those in public office genuinely work for the people.

But is that still possible? Or have we perhaps been conditioned to abandon hope altogether? Unless, of course, this government has indeed reached the point where it is beyond hope.

Oleh Ismail Khozen, Dosen Departemen Ilmu Administrasi Fiskal Universitas Indonesia

Sumber: The Jakarta Post