Experts Highlight Involvement of Mass Organizations in Demonstrations as Militaristic Practice
The presence of mass organizations (ormas) in various demonstrations in Indonesia recently has come under sharp scrutiny from observers. This phenomenon is considered a form of shifting responsibility by the government in handling public aspirations on the ground.
According to experts, the involvement of these groups in monitoring or confronting mass actions is a sign of strengthening militaristic regime practices. This is considered inconsistent with democratic principles, which should prioritize dialogue between the government and the public.
Observers believe that the government should be the party directly responsible for responding to citizens' demands. The use of third parties or mass organizations in demonstration situations is feared to actually trigger horizontal conflict among civil society.
This practice is also seen as an attempt at 'shifting the blame.' By involving outside parties, the government appears to want to avoid direct criticism from the public regarding the policies being protested.
This situation has sparked concerns regarding freedom of speech in Indonesia. Experts hope that the government can return to using more democratic and transparent methods in responding to every demonstration carried out by the public.