Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – House Speaker Puan Maharani on Friday called on government officials to listen and respond with wisdom to public criticism, even when it takes the form of satirical internet memes that have swept across the country.
Speaking ahead of President Prabowo Subianto's first state address at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta, Puan said that in a democracy, citizens must have ample space to voice opinions and express dissent.
"Criticism now comes in various creative forms, making use of technological advances, especially social media, as a channel for public voices," she said. "Behind every word there is a message, behind every message there is unrest, and behind unrest there is hope."
She said that such criticism often emerges through popular online trends, including the sarcastic phrase "kabur aja dulu" ("just run away"), the "Dark Indonesia" movement, the "Konoha" nickname likening Indonesia to a fictional village in the Naruto anime, and the widespread display of the One Piece Jolly Roger flag in the lead-up to the country's 80th Independence Day on Aug. 17.
Earlier this year, the "kabur aja dulu" trend gained traction among young Indonesians amid rising unemployment, with many sharing experiences of working abroad and encouraging others to follow suit. The "Dark Indonesia" narrative, which President Prabowo Subianto called as systematic disinformation comparable to Nazi propaganda, fueled nationwide protests in February and March against budget cuts and a revised military law expanding the role of active-duty officers in civilian posts.
The "Konoha" meme compares former President Joko Widodo to Naruto and Prabowo to rival Sasuke Uchiha, while Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka – Jokowi's eldest son – is likened to Boruto, Naruto's son.
The Jolly Roger flag, a fictional pirate emblem symbolizing freedom and resistance from One Piece, has been integrated into public festivities, floats, murals, and decorations nationwide ahead of Independence Day. While some local authorities have tried to curb the trend over fears of anti-government symbolism, Prabowo's spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi signaled tolerance as long as the flag does not overshadow the national Red and White.
Puan warned that criticism, no matter how sharp, should not divide the nation. "Criticism must be a light that illuminates our path together, not an ember that burns Indonesian brotherhood," she said. "It can be strong in substance, but it must never be a tool to incite violence."