100 Hari Prabowo-Gibran: Otoritarianisme di Depan Pintu | Opini Tempo

Summary

The script discusses the increasing militarism in Indonesia under Prabowo Subianto's government, which could lead to competitive authoritarianism. The military's influence is growing, weakening civil supremacy and posing risks to democracy. The government plans to expand military presence in various sectors, including agriculture and health. There are signs of a shift towards authoritarianism, where elections are held but the playing field is skewed in favor of certain candidates. The script warns that without a strong opposition, Indonesia may drift into full-blown authoritarianism, with the military holding significant power in both political and civil spheres.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first 100 days of Prabowo Subianto's government signal a rise in militarism in Indonesia.
• 😀 The government has increasingly involved the military in civilian affairs, such as food security, health, and the Hajj, which are traditionally not military operations.
• 😀 The Ministry of Defense plans to expand military commands, with a goal of increasing the number of military regions from 15 to 37 by 2029.
• 😀 The government is also planning to increase the number of territorial battalions by 100, which will involve the military in agriculture, fisheries, and health.
• 😀 The involvement of military forces in civilian sectors could strengthen the military's influence and diminish civil supremacy.
• 😀 The expansion of military power might lead to a form of competitive authoritarianism, where elections occur, but the playing field is manipulated in favor of certain candidates.
• 😀 Competitive authoritarianism means that while elections are held, candidates often do not reflect the true aspirations of the people, and critical media are either controlled or restricted.
• 😀 Signs of competitive authoritarianism have already emerged, particularly in the 2024 presidential election, with manipulation through legal maneuvers and the use of state resources.
• 😀 The absence of a strong opposition and the dominance of the military could erode democratic practices and lead to authoritarian rule under the guise of democracy.
• 😀 The piece compares the current situation in Indonesia with other Balkan countries, where similar forms of authoritarianism have been implemented under democratic facades.
• 😀 There are concerns that, without opposition, Indonesia could fall into a complete authoritarian regime, with military dominance growing unchecked.

Q & A

What does the script argue about the growing militarism under Prabowo Subianto's administration?

The script argues that under Prabowo Subianto's government, militarism is strengthening, with the military increasingly involved in civilian affairs, potentially leading to a weakening of civil supremacy and the rise of competitive authoritarianism.

How has Prabowo's administration involved the military in civilian roles?

Prabowo's administration has brought the military back into various non-military tasks, such as food security, forest management, providing free nutrition, and organizing the Hajj pilgrimage, which are not military operations according to Indonesian law.

What is the significance of expanding the military's role in society?

The expansion of the military's role, such as increasing the number of military districts and territorial battalions, indicates that the military's influence will continue to grow, potentially leading to greater control over civilian sectors, and undermining civilian supremacy.

What is competitive authoritarianism, and how is it related to Indonesia's current political situation?

Competitive authoritarianism refers to a political system where elections are held, but the playing field is tilted in favor of the ruling party, limiting genuine competition. The script suggests that Indonesia is at risk of this, with elections being manipulated and media freedom undermined, creating a façade of democracy while consolidating authoritarian control.

How does the script describe the role of media in competitive authoritarianism?

In a competitive authoritarian system, critical media is not outright censored but is weakened or co-opted by the regime. This allows the ruling government to control public opinion and manipulate the political narrative while maintaining the appearance of a free press.

What evidence does the script provide of the rise of competitive authoritarianism in Indonesia?

The script points to incidents such as the manipulation of the 2024 presidential election, where legal and administrative maneuvers were used to favor Prabowo's candidacy, and similar practices during regional elections, showcasing how the system is being tilted in favor of the ruling elite.

What risks does the script highlight regarding the shift towards a military-dominated government?

The script warns that the increasing dominance of the military could erode civil supremacy and lead to a form of authoritarianism that is disguised as democracy, potentially undermining the nation's democratic institutions and increasing political repression.

How does the script critique the role of President Joko Widodo in weakening democracy?

The script criticizes Joko Widodo's presidency for weakening democracy by allowing the military to play a larger role in governance and enabling the consolidation of power, which has paved the way for the potential rise of competitive authoritarianism under Prabowo's leadership.

What is the script’s assessment of the political landscape as Prabowo assumes power?

The script assesses that once Prabowo assumes power, he consolidates authority by aligning with political parties and elites, and with no substantial opposition, Indonesia risks falling deeper into competitive authoritarianism, with increasing military influence in governance.

What potential consequences does the script foresee if military influence continues to grow in Indonesia?

The script foresees that if military influence continues to grow, Indonesia may face a more pronounced form of authoritarian rule, where democratic processes are merely symbolic, and the government increasingly controls political, social, and economic life through military dominance.