Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Those who criticized the way floods were handled in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra reportedly faced various forms of digital repression. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) mentioned that several activists and influencers who voiced criticism experienced doxing, hacking, and cyberattacks after revealing the post-disaster conditions.
YLBHI Chair Muhammad Isnur stated that the organization received reports from several public figures with large social media followers who were targeted by digital attacks after criticizing the slow disaster response.
"There is doxing, hacking, and digital intimidation. This is very dangerous," said Isnur during an online discussion titled "Humanitarian Crimes, Sumatra/Aceh Disasters and the Preservation of Citizens' Constitutional Rights" on Monday, December 29, 2025.
According to Isnur, these attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern in responding to criticism. He believes that public expressions of dissatisfaction are often perceived as threats rather than feedback. "Those who speak out are seen as seeds of rebellion," he said.
Isnur sees this repressive tendency as arising from the state's failure to properly manage disasters. He mentioned the prolonged state of emergency response lasting more than 33 days as an indication of poor disaster management. "When the state fails, criticism should serve as a warning. Instead, the opposite happens," he said.
He also mentioned repressive actions against symbolic expressions by residents in the affected areas. According to Isnur, the raising of symbols or flags as a form of social protest is excessively handled by the authorities. "From pre-disaster to post-disaster, citizens' rights are violated. When they express concerns, they are repressed," he said.
Isnur believes that this situation demonstrates how ecological disasters intertwine with a crisis in democratic governance. He deems the government's attitude as incompetent, anti-science, and arrogant, which not only impacts the slow handling of victims but also restricts civil space.
YLBHI warns that digital attacks on activists and influencers potentially create a deterrent effect on the public to speak out. However, in a disaster situation, public participation and oversight are essential elements to ensure aid reaches the right targets and victims' rights are fulfilled.
Amidst the increasing pressure on critical voices, Isnur emphasizes that civil society still plays a crucial role in responding to humanitarian crises. He stated that legal aid organizations have even transformed their offices into communal kitchens and aid posts. "One life and one suffering is our shared suffering," he said.