Dear Whiteboard Journal readers,

My name is Fatia Maulidiyanti. My close friends call me Bob.

You have probably never heard of me, but – without intending to sound swollen-headed – I am the Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS). KontraS is one of the oldest Indonesian human rights organizations, which the late Munir Said Thalib established in 1998. Yup, that thick-mustached Munir who was murdered in 2004.

Today, allow me to convey a story that may bear some relevance to you. A story about how violence terrorizes our freedom – and how we can change that. I will begin by asking you several questions.

Remember the Instagram story you made to review a beauty product? I assume you posted it after having a certain level of knowledge of the examined product or other products in comparisons, right? How about that academic paper you wrote as an assignment for your study? I bet you composed it after exploring the case study, correct?

If your answers to the above questions (or other questions that are similar in nature to them) are “Yup; right; I did that; correct,” then I can safely say that you have all performed research, one way or another, and articulated your views.

But, suppose I am wrong, and you have never researched. Still, all of us enjoy expressing our opinions, our personal likes and dislikes, irrespective of our expertise.

For instance, remember the Twitter thread you created about the best fried rice restaurants in your city without prior knowledge of culinary arts? Or the TikTok video you produced commenting on an international issue without having a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations?

If your responses to my proposed scenarios (or, again, to other scenarios that resemble them) are “Yes; I made that,” then you’ve enjoyed the freedom of expression (to a certain extent).

However, imagine if a person, institution, or brand hates your research or views, and they decide to file a police report against you. Consequently, their action demands you to undergo gruesome investigation and trial processes and counting days to be put in jail.

Wouldn’t such an unwarranted and overboard approach threaten your freedom? What if it befalls other people, such as your best friends or parents; wouldn’t their freedom be endangered too? Don’t you think it’s better to counter research with further research, expression with another expression, and not put someone at risk of being jailed just because of a difference in opinions?

If your reactions to the above examinations are “Yes; indeed; that’s true,” then we’re on the same page. We are in agreement that silencing opinions, ideas, notions, and the mind is a form of violence that must be opposed. Freedom must be nurtured, and violence must be neglected.

Nonetheless, I hate to inform you that the aforementioned threats I illustrated are not mere delusions; they’re real. Your beauty product reviews, academic papers, Twitter threads, and TikTok videos can put you in jail.

You don’t believe me? Then, allow me to take you to what I’ve gone through.

Earlier last year, KontraS and eight other organizations conducted a study on military deployments in Papua. The study found strong indications that military personnel and units were illegally stationed to protect the interests of mining companies. Additionally, a certain prominent public figure, Mr. You-Know-Who, was allegedly involved in such unlawful practices.

Unfortunately, at times, when we try to grab life by the horns, the unexpected happens.

Irritated by the report’s findings, Mr. You-Know-Who filed a police report against me and another activist, Haris Azhar, for defamation in September 2021.

Currently, we are waiting for the trial process to commence. We may be imprisoned merely because of conducting research and disseminating its findings.

At this conjecture, I hope you realize that our freedom is under attack. So many others before me have been incarcerated simply because they peacefully express themselves. I’m waiting for my turn. Maybe your time will come soon.

But, we can stop this crisis and prevent it from happening again. The history of our Republic has shown, time and time again, that nurturing freedom and neglecting violence is necessary and possible. We succeeded in the past; thus, there’s no reason for us not to believe in the adage “History will repeat itself.”

Look no further than 1998. Back then, the Reform movement swept the nation because we – the people – were tired of witnessing violence. The people demanded a freer and more democratic Republic that respects, protects, and fulfills everyone’s rights. The result? We succeeded in replacing an authoritarian government with a more democratic one (albeit with drawbacks here and there).

We can do it again. Not to replace the government, but to ensure that you, me, your loved ones, co-workers, and millions of others can at least express their feelings peacefully without needing to worry about violent retaliation.

How? You can start small: sign a petition that urges the government to stop criminalizing other activists and me merely for exercising peaceful expression.

If my experience relates to yours, appeals to your conscience, or makes you realize the importance of having a freer and more democratic Indonesia, I hope you can partake in the voyage to nurture freedom and neglect violence.

Thank you for being so supportive.

Your friend,

Bob.