Government Communication and Insensitivity to Crisis in Society

Almost all tweets questioned and reiterated the brief statement made by Hasan Nasbi. This statement was deemed lacking in empathy toward the terror directed at Tempo and press freedom in general.

Hasan stated that this was not intended to downplay the terror and threats against the press. He admitted that he was merely joking, following the approach of Tempo journalists in dealing with such terror. By using this method, he believed, the aim of the terror to instill fear could be thwarted.

Moreover, he also stated that the government remains committed to upholding press freedom. "Nothing has changed regarding the government's commitment to press freedom," said Hasan in a written statement on Sunday.

According to him, the government adheres to the 1945 Constitution, Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, and Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights. Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution states that every individual has the right to communicate and obtain information to develop their personality and social environment. Similar provisions are also regulated in Articles 14 and 23 of Law Number 39/1999.

"The government implements the provisions of the Press Law, which states that press freedom is one of the manifestations of people's sovereignty. There is no censorship or banning. The government has not deviated at all from these principles," he said.

However, this is not the first time Hasan's statements have sparked controversy among the public. Last week, Hasan was also widely discussed after posting a tweet regarding the Draft Law on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (RUU TNI).

"After the press conference at the DPR just now, is it excessive if we ask people who claim to be intellectuals, influencers, and activists, who have spread provocations and false narratives about the TNI Bill to apologize? If they don't apologize, what should we call them?" Hasan wrote on his X account on March 17, 2025 before being deleted the following day.

The tweet was made after the DPR and the government clarified the substance of the TNI Bill which was questioned by civil society because it was feared that it would restore the dual function of the TNI. Both the government and the DPR emphasized that public criticism was baseless. A number of articles containing the substance of expanding the role of the TNI in public office did not exist. In fact, civil society has also conducted various studies, even holding demonstrations to reject the revision of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI.

Not only Hasan, at that time several other public officials were also in the spotlight because they made similar statements regarding the TNI Bill polemic on social media. They include the Special Staff of the Minister of Communication and Digital, Rudi Sutanto, and the Special Staff of the Minister of Defense, Deddy Corbuzier. Netizens had time to juxtapose the statements of several officials into one frame.

Furthermore, before the officials' statements became controversial, President Prabowo Subianto's statement regarding public criticism was also in the spotlight. When giving a speech at the celebration of the 18th Anniversary of the Gerindra Party in February 2025, Prabowo, who is also the General Chairperson of Gerindra, had discussed public criticism regarding the formation of the cabinet, the Free Nutritious Meal program, and his closeness to the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. In the midst of the discussion, he had thrown out the words "ndasmu (your head)" which were aimed at those who criticized his policies.

He also emphasized that the government should not be anti-criticism and must accept criticism. However, the criticism delivered must also be based on. "But the criticism must be correct, don't criticize based on revenge," Prabowo said.

Political Communication Expert from Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Kunto Adi Wibowo, said, in recent times, statements by public officials and even the President seem to have no empathy for the people and the criticisms conveyed. Officials tend to carry out practices that are contrary to the principles of democracy. Through its statements, the government is considered to no longer listen to people's criticism and protect freedom of speech.

Statements that are devoid of empathy and contrary to democracy, according to Kunto, show incompetence in running a country. Officials try to cover up their shortcomings by making statements that tend to blame the people. Moreover, there are also statements that instead of positioning the people as a party that must be protected, they are actually positioned as a common enemy.

The government should empathize with this crisis. Although they are not directly affected, but, right, the community is affected so that empathetic language (in responding to polemics in society) is important.

Such communication strategies, Kunto said, are similar to those practiced by fascist leaders in the World War II era. This step also has the potential to be practiced continuously in Indonesia, considering that the country now has laws that strengthen the military's position to enter civilian areas.

Kunto also reminded that the government should improve communication patterns without departing from the principles of democracy and sensitivity to crises. In recent times, the public has been in a crisis of trust in the state due to the TNI Bill polemic, minimal public involvement in policy formulation, and indications of restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression.

"The government should empathize with this crisis. Although they are not directly affected, but, right, the community is affected so that empathetic language (in responding to polemics in society) is important," he said.

The narrative delivered also needs to be consistent and well-prepared, so that the government can avoid statements that ignore public interest, even provoking the public. In addition, communication should not use winged sentences. "So, the government's answers must be truly controlled, empathetic, clear, and consistent," said Kunto.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono admitted, in the Plenary Cabinet Session, last Friday, the issue of government communication was one of the things evaluated by President Prabowo. The President reminded the members of the Red and White Cabinet to build good communication so that the public can understand what the government is working on and the challenges. Not only that, the public should also understand the benefits they will get from government programs.

"This is also one of the things that will be used as evaluation material. Hopefully with that, the work remains focused, but also the communication is better," said Agus Harimurti.