The great success in 2014 must continue in 2019, by all means necessary. 2019 presidential election saw a “rematch” between the same presidential candidates. The pro-oligarchic policies are now more blatant, shameless. The oligarchs feasted; the common folks drawn in misery.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was weakened, without any guilt, for the benefit of (potential) corruptors, state officials from all branches, as well as corrupt businessmen. Corruption eradication efforts are neutralized. Key evidences in corruption court proceedings were conveniently ignored. Several big names who are said to be involved in corruption cases are still roaming free. Even some of them were immorally nominated as presidential candidates. Investigations into alleged corruption by political party leaders and state officials have stalled. The corruptors are having a field day. Meanwhile, ordinary people are trapped in endless suffering.
The oligarchic regime and corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) have become increasingly brazen. Business oligarchs are appointed as rulers, ministers and other officials such as head of authorities. As a consequence, many policies are made in favor of entrepreneurs at the expense of the people and the state (national budget/APBN). For example, policies related to the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the costly Covid-19 tests which were burdensome to the public and state budget is a direct tyrannical policy, where the ruler also concurrently served as the owner of the Covid-19 test provider.
The Job Creation Law also favors employers, arguing that it creates job opportunities, even though it put the workers at a disadvantage. The law will hamper efforts to eradicate poverty, and will widen social inequality: the rich get richer, the poor stay poor.
Unsurprisingly, the number of rich people during the pandemic increased. They benefited from government projects worth tens to hundreds of trillions of rupiah such as pre-employment card, social aid, or those in the name of national economic recovery, which are mostly enjoyed by a small group of elites, both legitimately and illegitimately.
Read: Students protest RKUHP outside of parliament
The climax is the plan to amend the penal code (KUHP) which has now been submitted to the House. Many people argued that the draft is increasingly repressive towards freedom of expression, and can be potentially used to silence those who are critical towards the executive and legislative. This, again, violates the principle of the people’s sovereignty and democracy.