The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has\nresponded to the controversy surrounding President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s\nuse of the term \u2018Londo Ireng\u2019, urging the public to consider the full\ncontext of his remarks. The statement, which referred to\nnon-governmental organisations and journalists, drew sharp criticism and\nprompted protests from journalist alliances in several cities.<\/p>\n
Director General of Public Communication and Media, Fifi Aleyda\nYahya, stated that the President viewed criticism, including reports on\ndamaged schools, as important input. She emphasised that the \u2018Londo\nIreng\u2019 remark was a political metaphor intended to caution against\nparties deliberately constructing narratives that Indonesia is failing\nand without hope, rather than an attack on the press or specific\nprofessions.<\/p>\n
\u2018Criticism is necessary, but it differs from efforts to\nsystematically build pessimism,\u2019 Fifi said. She reaffirmed the\ngovernment\u2019s respect for press freedom and the role of civil society in\ndemocracy, while inviting all parties to ensure public space is not\ndominated by narratives that ignore ongoing government efforts to\nresolve issues.<\/p>\n
The ministry stressed that the government remains focused on\ndelivering tangible results, accelerating on-the-ground improvements,\nand ensuring the public benefits from these actions. The controversy\nbegan when Prabowo used the term during a speech at the 28th anniversary\nof the National Awakening Party (PKB), leading a coalition of journalist\norganisations to condemn the label as demeaning and delegitimising\njournalistic work, noting its historical use to describe Indonesians\nperceived as serving colonial interests.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/komdigi-responds-to-criticism-over-prabowos-londo-ireng-remarks-1785163973", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }