\u2018Observer inflation\u2019: Indonesia\u2019s Cabinet secretary sparks debate\nwith remarks targeting analysts<\/p>\n
\u201cThese observers, their data does not match the facts. Their data is\nwrong,\u201d said Cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya at a press briefing on\nApr 10.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Indonesia\u2019s Cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has sparked\ncontroversy with his remark about an \u201cinflation of observers\u201d, with\ncritics saying it is the latest sign of the authorities\u2019 shrinking\ntolerance for dissent in the democratic country.<\/p>\n
At a press briefing on a range of issues last Friday (Apr 10), Teddy\nsaid there was a \u201cphenomenon going on right now called observer\ninflation\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many observers. There\u2019s a rice observer, but their\nbackground is not in that field. There are military observers and\nforeign observers. And these observers, their data does not match the\nfacts. Their data is wrong,\u201d he stated, as reported by news outlet\nTempo.<\/p>\n
Teddy claimed such commentators were shaping public opinion against\nPresident Prabowo Subianto\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n
\u201c[It\u2019s fine to] criticise us, but let\u2019s not make statements that\ncreate anxiety or unsettle the public,\u201d he added, as reported by The\nJakarta Post. \u201cEverything is stable, everything is under control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Issues Teddy covered during the press briefing included government\nefforts to maintain fuel prices amid the energy crisis caused by war in\nthe Middle East.<\/p>\n
He pointed to stable domestic fuel prices as proof the situation was\nunder control, and accused analysts of fuelling public anxiety on social\nmedia.<\/p>\n
Teddy\u2019s remarks have sparked debate, with critics saying it reflects\nthe shrinking space for critical analysis of government policies.\nOthers, however, have agreed with him on the need for data-backed\nclaims.<\/p>\n
Political researcher Yoes Kenawas of research institute Lembaga\nSurvei Indonesia told The Jakarta Post that Teddy\u2019s remarks echo the\ngovernment\u2019s pattern of dismissing critical analysis.<\/p>\n
Yoes cited how a research and consulting firm founder, Saiful Mujani,\nwas recently accused of treason by various pro-government figures after\nhe suggested at a Mar 31 post-Ramadan gathering that Indonesia could be\n\u201csaved\u201d by removing Prabowo, \u201cif advising (him) doesn\u2019t work\u201d.<\/p>\n
Those who slammed Saiful\u2019s remarks as \u201cprovocation\u201d included Ulta\nLevenia from the Office of Presidential Staff, who called Saiful \u201ca\nprovocateur in academic clothing\u201d and said his comments could be\nconsidered treason, The Jakarta Post reported.<\/p>\n
But Yoes noted that Prabowo had, on Mar 13, accused observers of\nbeing unpatriotic and alleged that they gained financially by\ncriticising the government, reported The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome observers simply don\u2019t want their own government to succeed due\nto various motivations. I\u2019d say they are narrow-minded, not patriotic,\u201d\nPrabowo said at a Cabinet meeting, without naming the observers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the time comes, we will put them in order,\u201d he was quoted as\nsaying by The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Yoes added: \u201cThe cost of voicing criticism is becoming increasingly\nhigh, as seen in recent attacks on activists.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was referring to an acid attack last month on rights advocate\nAndrie Yunus, a critic of the military\u2019s influence in government. Four\nsoldiers have been detained for their alleged role in the attack.<\/p>\n
Individuals who backed Teddy include Habiburokhman, a member of\nIndonesia\u2019s People\u2019s Representative Council, one of two elected chambers\nin the national legislature.<\/p>\n
He said on Apr 13 he considered Teddy\u2019s remark to be true, and that\nmany parties had expressed opinions that were not supported by accurate\ndata.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many observers who have delivered constructive criticism\nto the Prabowo government, and many of them have been followed up,\u201d\nHabiburokhman said, as quoted by news outlet VOI.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, not all criticism is good, there is also criticism that is\nnot constructive and even destructive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Some observers aim to seize power either through the constitutional\nor unconstitutional path, he added.<\/p>\n
Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari said on Monday the\ngovernment is not opposed to criticism. \u201cUse data, use theory \u2014 that\u2019s\nreally what\u2019s being stressed, in my view,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time Teddy has come under the spotlight for his\nremarks.<\/p>\n
Last month, he was criticised for his reply when asked about the\nbudget for a government-funded \u201cpeople\u2019s market\u201d event on Mar 28.<\/p>\n
His response then was: \u201cAnyway, it\u2019s there, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Director of research institute Centre of Economic and Law Studies\nMedia Askar Wahyudi said Teddy\u2019s reply lacked details such as the size\nof the budget, its source and who was implementing it, reported\nTempo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe public cannot verify whether there are price markups, fictitious\nlogistics costs or unfair procurement practices,\u201d Media said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observer-inflation-indonesias-cabinet-secretary-sparks-debate-with-remarks-targeting-analysts-1776250267", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }