The 1998 activists of the West Java (Jabar) 98 Circle, alongside the\n98 Resolution Network, held a consolidation meeting in Bandung. The\nexponents of the \u201998 movement invited reform actors to reflect on the 28\nyears of reformation and their contributions to Indonesia\u2019s political\ndemocracy.<\/p>\n
The West Java 98 Circle and the 98 Resolution Network assessed that\nthe \u201898 movement still faces shortcomings, particularly as political\ndemocratisation has not progressed in tandem with economic\ndemocratisation. They argued that this imbalance results in a\n\u2019pseudo-democracy\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen natural resources are controlled by a small group known as\n\u2018serakahnomic\u2019 during the reformation era, it effectively hijacks both\npolitical democracy and the livelihoods of the masses,\u201d stated Agus\nTeddy Sumantari, spokesperson for the 98 Resolution Network, in a\nwritten statement on Monday (6\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
He emphasised that the democratic system must be based on\nsocio-democracy, rather than a Western-style liberal democracy that only\nguarantees freedom at the ballot box. \u201cWestern-style democracy ignores\nthe people\u2019s access to the nation\u2019s wealth. Yet, constitutionally, under\nArticle 33 of the 1945 Constitution, the state\u2019s natural resources are\nmanaged by the state to increase the welfare of its people,\u201d added\nTeddy.<\/p>\n
In light of this, the group presented eight points of view and\nstances. First, the West Java 98 Circle and the 98 Resolution Network\nfully support President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s mandate to seize the assets\nof corruptors to fund public subsidies. This is evidenced by recent\nseizures of funds from various corruption cases.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo ensure a deterrent effect, we urge law enforcement to impose\nheavy sentences on corruptors involved in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG)\nprogramme, including a minimum of life imprisonment, as they have\nbetrayed the people, the state, and the trust placed in them by\nPresident Prabably,\u201d said Teddy.<\/p>\n
Second, Teddy noted that the approach to eradicating corruption is\nnow more progressive, targeting corruption in state revenue, natural\nresource management, and the abuse of concession permits. \u201cThe\ngovernment has prevented revenue leakages through miss-invoicing\npractices, estimated at Rp 100 trillion per year, and transfer pricing\nof around Rp 75 trillion per year,\u201d explained Teddy.<\/p>\n
Third, Teddy stated that in line with the demands for agrarian reform\nand Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, President Prabowo has\nestablished the Forest Area Order Task Force (Satgas PKH) through\nPresidential Regulation Number 5 of 2025 to regulate illegal forest\noccupation and collect administrative fines. \u201cThe Satgas PKH has seized\n5,901,512.89 hectares of land (comprising 5.88 million hectares of palm\noil and 12,371.58 hectares of mining), which will be redistributed for\nmanagement by the people through cooperatives. We call on the government\nto promote transparency in its management,\u201d said Teddy.<\/p>\n
Fourth, the group urged all stakeholders to embody President\nPrabowo\u2019s spirit in upholding Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution,\ncalling on state managers to uphold efficiency and anti-corruption. \u201cWe\nwill continue to monitor the situation to ensure no one abuses the\nPresident\u2019s good intentions by simply shifting leakages from one area to\nanother,\u201d said Teddy.<\/p>\n
Fifth, Teddy noted that President Prabowo has restructured the State\nBudget (APBN) as a tool for struggle to protect the people and ensure\nprosperity. He stated the President has overhauled corruptive spending\nand stagnant regional transfer funds, reallocating them to the Free\nNutritious Meal (MBG) programme. He strongly criticised neoliberal\ncritics who label these people-centred programmes as \u2018burning the\nbudget\u2019 or distorting the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the exposure of corruption cases within the National\nNutrition Agency (BGN), we request the government to immediately\nevaluate its governance,\u201d added Teddy.<\/p>\n
Sixth, the group dismissed claims that the education budget is being\nreduced to fund the MBG programme. Seventh, they expressed respect for\nall forms of criticism against the government. Teddy noted that\nPresident Prabowo has proven himself open to corrections regarding\nalleged mismanagement in the MBG programme, but observed an anomaly in\ncurrent social movements that adopt a neoliberal mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome parties question welfare budgets and accuse the strengthening\nof State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as an economic driver for the people\nof distorting the market,\u201d said Teddy.<\/p>\n
Finally, in facing geopolitical pressures that weaken the national\neconomy, they called on all elements of the nation to strengthen unity\nand brotherhood in a peaceful atmosphere. He stated that the political\ndemocracy achieved must serve as a tool to accelerate the equitable\ndistribution of welfare. \u201cWe will remain active in opening dialogues to\nexplain the direction of President Prabowo\u2019s strategic programmes and\noversee their implementation,\u201d explained Teddy.<\/p>\n
The West Java 98 Circle and the 98 Resolution Network also support\nthe government in continuing pro-people programmes, such as the\nFishermen\u2019s Village, Free Nutritious Meals, Food Self-Sufficiency, and\nthe Merah Putih Cooperative. \u201cHowever, we remind policymakers to ensure\nprogramme governance is accountable, transparent, and responsible,\u201d\nconcluded Teddy.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/west-java-lingkar-98-consolidates-affirms-support-for-presidents-populist-programmes-1783353131", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }