For the past 10 days, my house has been “besieged” by individuals I am certain are military personnel. They record anyone active in the house and stalk wherever I go.
They also map and study every inch of the territory around where I live. They approach my house relentlessly, from morning until the next morning.Why do I use the term “besieged”? They pace back and forth around my house, photographing and monitoring—covertly or overtly—as if my house were an enemy base where every occupant is a threat to the state.
They frequently ask my neighbors about my daily routine, including detailed information about the household members. They convey the message that I am being watched and marked.The atmosphere of the New Order has been reborn like a “Caesar” on my front porch.
The dual function of ABRI (Dwifungsi ABRI), Kopkamtib, and the Subversion Law no longer exist in this country, but a handful of people are trying to bring its spirit back. This feels clear, at least I myself have experienced its pulse. Perhaps it is because I am considered a democracy activist or because I frequently criticize remilitarization, but what is clear is that these faces, which are anti-civil supremacy, are roaming around my house.
I actually did not want to tell anyone about this. To me, this is part of the risk of the struggle to safeguard the mandate of reform, democracy, and civil society in Indonesia. However, I believe this situation is not happening to me alone. It is possible that fellow activists are experiencing the same suppression.Our voices will never be dimmed by this intimidation.
But what I deeply regret is that this situation is actually happening in the millennial era. An era where every citizen is expected to exercise sound reasoning and think critically—both civilians and the military.
The millennial era is an era where democracy must no longer be just empty rhetoric on the podium and during general elections.The millennial era is an era where the military must fully concentrate on mastering the acceleration of national defense technology.
The millennial era in a civilization like Indonesia’s should no longer be an era of facing criticism with intimidation in the name of the state. We are not a junta, but a Pancasila Democracy. We are Indonesia, not North Korea.
