December 29, 2025 | 09:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Those who criticized the way floods were handled in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra reportedly faced various forms of digital repression. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) mentioned that several activists and influencers who voiced criticism experienced doxing, hacking, and cyberattacks after revealing the post-disaster conditions.
YLBHI Chair Muhammad Isnur stated that the organization received reports from several public figures with large social media followers who were targeted by digital attacks after criticizing the slow disaster response. "There is doxing, hacking, and digital intimidation. This is very dangerous," said Isnur during an online discussion titled "Humanitarian Crimes, Sumatra/Aceh Disasters and the Preservation of Citizens' Constitutional Rights" on Monday, December 29, 2025.
According to Isnur, these attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern in responding to criticism. He believes that public expressions of dissatisfaction are often perceived as threats rather than feedback. "Those who speak out are seen as seeds of rebellion," he said.
Isnur sees this repressive tendency as arising from the state's failure to properly manage disasters. He mentioned the prolonged state of emergency response lasting more than 33 days as an indication of poor disaster management. "When the state fails, criticism should serve as a warning. Instead, the opposite happens," he said.
He also mentioned repressive actions against symbolic expressions by residents in the affected areas. According to Isnur, the raising of symbols or flags as a form of social protest is excessively handled by the authorities. "From pre-disaster to post-disaster, citizens' rights are violated. When they express concerns, they are repressed," he said.
Isnur believes that this situation demonstrates how ecological disasters intertwine with a crisis in democratic governance. He deems the government's attitude as incompetent, anti-science, and arrogant, which not only impacts the slow handling of victims but also restricts civil space.
YLBHI warns that digital attacks on activists and influencers potentially create a deterrent effect on the public to speak out. However, in a disaster situation, public participation and oversight are essential elements to ensure aid reaches the right targets and victims' rights are fulfilled.
Amidst the increasing pressure on critical voices, Isnur emphasizes that civil society still plays a crucial role in responding to humanitarian crises. He stated that legal aid organizations have even transformed their offices into communal kitchens and aid posts. "One life and one suffering is our shared suffering," he said.
Read: Experts Warn of Follow-Up Flood Risks in Flood-Hit Sumatra
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo to Visit Disaster-Affected Areas in Sumatra Ahead of New Year
1 jam lalu
President Prabowo had planned to visit the disaster site in Sumatra once a week.
Prabowo Deploys Personal Helicopter to Support Disaster Relief in Sumatra
4 jam lalu
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf and his team used Prabowo's helicopter to assist with disaster management in Aceh.
Rain Persists in West Sumatra, Flash Floods Strike Agam Again
4 jam lalu
Affected by the Sumatra floods and their aftermath, the Agam Regency had one of the largest refugee populations, with around 4,300 people displaced.
BCA Pushes Stunting Prevention for Sumatra Flood Victims
15 jam lalu
Conducting stunting prevention actions for the victims of the Sumatra flood disaster is important.
Aceh's Bitter Lesson, Relearned
1 hari lalu
In 2004, Aceh was hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami. In 2025, Indonesia's most disaster-aware province was among the worst hit by floods
Six Hamlets Remain Isolated After Flood Disaster in Central Tapanuli
1 hari lalu
Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo has inspected post-disaster handling in Central Tapanuli.
Experts Warn of Follow-Up Flood Risks in Flood-Hit Sumatra
2 hari lalu
Experts say potential new floods in the region are likely smaller than last November's, as much of the logging debris has moved downstream.
Energy Ministry Sends 1,000 Generators, 3,000 Gas Stoves to Flood-Hit Aceh
2 hari lalu
The aid was sent off by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta.
Former PM Says Aceh Shielded Malaysia From Cyclone That Triggered Disasters
3 hari lalu
Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad said that while Aceh is now bearing the brunt of the disaster, Malaysia has a moral responsibility to help.
TNI Disperses Crowds Flying GAM Flags in Aceh's Lhokseumawe
3 hari lalu
TNI and police dispersed a group flying the banned Free Aceh Movement (GAM) flags in Lhokseumawe, Aceh. One man was arrested with a firearm.
