MTI: Prabowo's 'Londo Ireng' Remark Seeks to Delegitimize Public Oversight

Indonesia's Transparency International (MTI) has strongly criticized President Prabowo Subianto's repeated use of the term 'londo ireng' (black foreigner) to label journalists, academics, and non-governmental organizations. MTI views these remarks as a deliberate attempt to delegitimize public oversight and undermine democratic accountability.

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The labeling of journalists, academics, and civil society organizations as 'londo ireng' or 'foreign agents' systematically shifts the focus from the substance of criticism to suspicion about the critics' motives, thereby narrowing the space for public participation as a prerequisite for the accountability of power.

According to MTI Executive Director Ahmad Jilul Qurani Farid, such labels systematically shift the focus from the substance of criticism to suspicion about the critics' motives. "Criticism is the oxygen of democracy, not betrayal," Jilul stated, emphasizing that when a head of state labels critical voices, it becomes an effort to systematically delegitimize public scrutiny, thereby narrowing the space for public participation.

MTI has documented at least seven instances of negative labeling, political insults, or stigmatizing accusations by President Prabowo against his own citizens since he assumed office in October 2024. These include labeling critics as 'foreign agents' and questioning the motives of protesters. MTI reminds Prabowo that a democracy thrives on diverse viewpoints and critical voices, not on the unquestioning obedience found in military hierarchies.

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Criticism is the oxygen of democracy, not betrayal.

The organization also noted the Presidential Palace's claims of not being 'anti-criticism.' MTI insists this commitment must translate into concrete daily actions, not just rhetoric. They argue that criticism from citizens, journalists, and academics is a genuine expression of love for the nation, stemming from a concern for the country's direction.

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When the head of state repeatedly labels journalists, academics, and civil society organizations as 'londo ireng' or 'foreign agents,' what occurs is no longer a clash of ideas, but a systematic effort to delegitimize public oversight.