The President Needs to Solicit More Opinions and Suggestions from Other Elements of Society
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
The dialogue between National Conscience Movement (Gerakan Nurani Bangsa) leaders and President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, September 11, 2025, provided a breath of fresh air in efforts to calm the unrest in Indonesia, stemming from the protests and demonstrations that erupted in various regions from August 25, 2025, to a week later, followed by mass attacks on the residences of figures deemed to be the source of the people’s problems.
The dialogue between National Conscience Movement (Gerakan Nurani Bangsa) leaders at the State Palace and the President is highly relevant for easing social and political tensions in the country and preventing them from escalating further. This dialogue provides input on addressing the people’s hopes, as summarized in the 17+8 movement, a symbol of the people’s demands. Among these is civilian supremacy, which must be understood as ensuring that the highest power in the state rests with civilian authorities, not the military or other armed groups.
This means that the sovereignty of the people is above the power of arms. Therefore, government must be run by civilian officials—democratically elected—not by the military. And the military must submit to the authority of civil society.
Furthermore, within the context of civilian supremacy, state decisions must be made through democratic mechanisms, not through pressure from power or coercive force. In turn, transparency and accountability—under civilian supremacy—public officials must be accountable to the people through the law and the ethics of good and proper governance.
Therefore, all efforts must be made to avoid authoritarianism with the spirit and soul of civilian supremacy, rejecting military domination in politics, as it will only lead to human rights violations, repression, and corruption of power. Civilian supremacy is the foundation of a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Without civilian supremacy, the state will become a militaristic and authoritarian regime, thereby losing control of the state.
The open dialogue between President Prabowo Subianto and the National Conscience Movement (Gerakan Nurani Bangsa) may not be sufficient if only a few figures are represented. Many other figures from various fields and professions also deserve to receive input and recommendations to restore Indonesia to a healthy state and continue to advance toward the golden era envisioned by many, at least by 2045.
Therefore, similar meetings with figures from various fields and professions can complement the symbolic meaning and concrete manifestation of similar meetings and dialogues, building a more concrete and comprehensive, healthier moral-political communication between the government and elements of society, so that they are not left behind or left behind in building a strong, prosperous Indonesian nation and state within a better and more noble civilization.
This similar dialogue can be further expanded to act as a means of absorbing conflict while maintaining the government’s consistency and commitment to the people. At the very least, figures from across religions, academics and intellectuals, as well as artists and cultural figures, can further convince that issues of conscience, morals, ethics, and just and wise behavior truly have a place in the nation’s highest forum, as evidence of the people’s sovereignty, which should be upheld within the consciousness of the nation and state.
The prominent figures of the National Conscience Movement who attended the dialogue with the President on September 11, 2025, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta included Siti Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid, Father Franz Magnis Suseno, SJ, Prof. M. Quraish Shihab, KH. Ahmad Mustofa Bisri, Bishop Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, Omi Komariah Nurcholis Madjid, Professor Dr. Amin Abdullah, Bhikkhu Panyavaro Mahathera, Alissa Q. Wahid, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Karlina Rohima Supelli, Reverend Jacky Manuputty, Reverend Gomer Gultom, Father A. Setyo Wibowo, SJ, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Ery Seda, Laode Moh. Syarif, Makarim Wibisono, Kamaruddin Hidayat, and Slamet Rahardjo.
In addition to agreeing to uphold civilian supremacy, President Prabowo Subianto agreed to establish an Independent Investigation Commission to resolve the riots that occurred in August 2025, which resulted in 10 deaths. The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) also called for the immediate release of detained student activists and schoolchildren. He also called for the formation of a Police Reform Team or Commission to work expeditiously to ensure the fragile situation can be quickly restored.
The opinions and voices of citizens gathered by the Atlantika Nusantara Institute strongly support the proposals and ideas of the National Conscience Movement leaders, particularly the need for immediate reform within the National Police.
Banten, September 12, 2025
—
