"With the Citizens", Still Rejecting the Revision of the TNI Law Despite Being Cornered

In recent times, the collective social media account called “Bareng Warga” has been increasingly attacked by anonymous accounts that are suspected of being buzzers or buzzers. Moreover, recently they have been actively reporting the latest information on a series of demonstrations that continue to roll. However, this civil society movement refuses to recede despite efforts to create negative sentiment towards it.

One such attack was made by the owner of the social media account X, @tekarok007. Through their tweet, the account owner accused the collective "Bareng Warga" or @barengwarga of being provocateurs behind the recent surge in demonstrations.

"Sorry. Maybe I misunderstood. I thought that the residents were inviting us to fight and demonstrate together. It turned out that the leader never wanted to join the demonstration, he just hid in his room," wrote the account @tekarok007 in his tweet.

As of Saturday (29/3/2025) afternoon, the tweet had been viewed 47,000 times and liked by 219 other users. Not only did some users leave likes, but several others, who were also anonymous accounts, commented on the post. Unfortunately, their tweets instead criticized the movement carried out by the "Bareng Warga" collective.

Over the past week, "Bareng Warga" has been busier than usual. The tweets from the collectively managed account have flooded the X timeline. The content of the tweets reports on various aspects of the protests opposing the ratification of the revision of the Military Law (UU TNI) that have been ongoing for the past week. It is not solely about the planned actions but also about the repressive measures taken by security forces throughout the demonstrations.

Interestingly, the flow of information received seems to be continuous. Every hour, there is always something new being reported. The locations of protests and acts of resistance are also spread across various parts of the country. It is as if these demonstrations are spreading from one city to another.

"This is a civil movement united by various concerns over time. We want to show that this movement is truly organic. There is no mobilization of any kind," said BW, one of the initiators of Bareng Warga, when contacted on Saturday afternoon.

The organic nature of the movement, BW explained, can be observed in the diverse professional backgrounds of the account managers. These range from private employees, agency workers, former journalists, to civil servants.

Interestingly, they initially did not know each other when they met in the virtual world. It was solely their shared concern over critical issues, from the criminalization of Teacher Supriyani in Konawe, the 12 Percent VAT, to the revision of the TNI Law, that ultimately united them in one network.

"This is what makes us a civil society movement. Demonstrations do not have to be closely associated with students. Those who have not graduated can take to the streets," said BW.

Because of their strong networking and consolidation, attacks from anonymous accounts have also become more intense. Especially since they have become more vocal in reporting demonstrations rejecting the revision of the TNI Law. However, they ignored the attacks. Allegations about the action being ridden by the elite to the point of treason were also strongly denied by them.

“Now all parties are in the KIM (Advanced Indonesia Coalition) Plus. There is no opposition either. Are we being ridden by the PDI-P? The head of the TNI Bill working committee is a PDI-P person. The one who pushed for ratification is also from the PDI-P (Puan Maharani). That is so ridiculous,” said BW.

According to BW, the wave of civil society movements will not stop. He stated that the echo will grow bigger after the Eid holiday. This is based on the response of the government and other stakeholders who seem to still ignore the voices of the people from the street parliament.

So far, the government's response to the series of demonstrations has not been significant. The comments even seem reluctant to sympathize with the public's anxiety. For example, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas had said that President Prabowo would still sign the revised TNI Law as a form of ratification into law.

As a representative of the people, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, also issued a statement that was not reassuring. Although her party, PDI Perjuangan, is not part of the government coalition, her attitude also seems to have no rejection of the revision of the TNI Law. She even asked the public to observe the changes to the regulation before and after it was passed.

"So please let's all restrain ourselves and please read it. It's already on the DPR website and can be read by the public," Puan said after the DPR Plenary Meeting on March 25.

Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada Wawan Mas'udi sees that the emergence of "Bareng Warga" is part of a new socio-political movement phenomenon. Coincidentally, the digital world is able to become a fluid consolidation space for the interests and concerns of a number of parties about the chaotic political situation in the country.

In the digital realm, Wawan continued, consolidation does not have to be carried out by institutionalized civil society elements. Individuals are also free to express their aspirations, so they can get broad support through social media. From that path, a group of individuals gather together. Because, consolidation is carried out without regard to space and time.

"What is extraordinary is that these consolidation models through social media then transformed into actual social movements in the form of demonstrations on the streets," said Wawan.

At the same time, Wawan explained, society is facing a crisis of political representation. This occurs both in the executive and legislative realms. The concerns of citizens are not represented by their officials who are elected through a direct election mechanism. For this reason, the people are looking for a way to express their voices and concerns.

"What emerged on the streets then continued to roll and gain wider support. This means that there is indeed the same anxiety in many people who do not get their place in the policy sites owned by classical representative institutions," said Wawan.

As representatives of the people, Wawan explained, the political elite should not turn a deaf ear. The people's concerns voiced through various demonstrations must be heard. Moreover, in reality, there is a policy-making process that does not involve the people even though this country is running a democratic system.

The case study taken by Wawan was the revision of the TNI Law. The policy was drafted in an elitist manner because it was done secretly. In fact, it was as if the process was hidden from the people. The commotion only arose after elements of civil society questioned it.

"This series of actions is a resistance against elitism and closed attitudes in the process of making laws," said Wawan.

Wawan also highlighted the attack by anonymous accounts suspected of being buzzers on collective accounts that build citizen movements. He saw it as an old pattern used by the authorities to quell public unrest. He believed that the quelling efforts would not be effective as long as the people's movement truly occurred organically.

Instead of suppressing it, Wawan said, the authorities should pay attention to the substance of the criticism that is continuously shouted by all citizens. Moreover, this country is still running a democratic government system.

"Blocking accounts, buzzer attacks, and whatever, will not stop the resistance that has been carried out by the community. This will actually create social change. Community solidarity will be increasingly built and consolidated," said Wawan.

The fire of people's resistance is far from extinguished. As long as the government is stupid, there will always be a reason to take to the streets and fight. Any silencing will not dampen the spirit, but will actually multiply it.