Editor – Southeast Asia Analyst.
The ruling class of Indonesia let out a huge sigh of relief when the nationwide protest in August and September finally subsided. The protest-turned-riot was sparked by the Indonesian House of Representative passing a bill which doubled their member’s allowance. The violence died down and so did the extravagance of political elites in their lifestyle. Throughout the months the grassroots’ focus shifted away from the political elites, only to return in November with once in a generation cyclone and extreme rainfall that ravaged Aceh, West and North Sumatra.
Tens of cities and regencies were swept by rushing water and runaway soil that covered the landscape in brown, pushing cars, buildings and people away from their homes. Rubbles and lumber piled up on the road blocking access. Environmental groups confirmed that while the disaster was caused by extreme weather, increasing deforestation to make space for palm oil plantation is to blame as well. It did not take long for people to criticize President Prabowo’s remarks made months ago where he reassured that palm oil plantation expansion need not cause concerns as palm trees can still absorb carbon.
This remark made by the president was not the only subject of criticism. The actions, or in this case the inaction from the government were harshly criticized. Despite fitting the legal criteria, the tragedy in Sumatra is still yet to be recognized as a national disaster by the government who also rejected foreign aid offers as it insisted that Indonesia can handle its own problems. Observers claim that these were indicative of the government’s new strategy; ignoring follow ups to avoid inviting criticism, the result of being frozen in fear after facing riots months earlier.
Eventually, President Prabowo and his entourage visited the disaster victims in Sumatra, provided speeches and aid but critics claim that it was more important for them to be seen in Sumatra. They criticized the relief packages with the President’s picture plastered on it and his secretary’s Instagram profiled showcasing the entourage’s visit to the affected area. Political parties followed in the government’s footsteps and faced similar criticism, National Mandate Party Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) in particular stole the spotlight.
While PAN can be credited for 5 Billion IDR in providing disaster relief, it became painfully obvious that they cared more for the optics. Netizens ridiculed videos of PAN members visiting the affected area. Zulfiki Hasan shouldering a sack of rice, Verrel Bramasta wearing a tactical vest and Zita Anjani acting surprised at drift wood were all blasted as out of touch and down right performative. The irony strikes harder considering that Hasan once approved deforestation projects to create space for palm oil plantations in Sumatra during his stint as Forestry Minister.
Other parties were quick to mention their contribution in sending aid, with each party providing around 3 to 4 billion IDR individually. However, they all pale in comparison to political influencer and Malaka Project’s CEO Ferry Irwandi’s efforts where he successfully crowdfunded 10 Billion IDR over the course of less than a week. Aid packages were sent via plane and distributed by volunteers in the field, a process that was documented by Irwandi’s team with minimal flamboyance. Only after the media frenzy on Irwandi’s campaign the government decided to step up and provide more in effort to restore credibility. An intimate meeting among President Prabowo’s inner circle concluded that the government will provide 4 Billion IDR to 52 worse damaged cities in regencies in affected provinces. Their trust is now at the mercy of the people, all that the government can hope is that it isn’t too little too late.
The tragedy in Sumatera proved that elites who got to their position through flair and empty performance are capable of providing just that even in times of crisis. It also confirmed what was hanging on everyone’s mind, political elites do not care for the grassroot nor does the grassroots need the elite, the numbers speak for themselves. As of writing this, there are 961 confirmed deaths, 274 injured and more than 5000 missing, if the political elites want to keep their position, they should keep their end of the social contract.