by A Special Correspondent
Sri Lanka Guardian has obtained a trove of documents detailing alleged plans by U.S.-based agencies to influence Indonesia’s political landscape following the election victory of Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka. According to the documents, the U.S. government, along with organizations like the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), has been actively engaged in efforts to counter Prabowo’s ascent, citing concerns about democratic backsliding and potential electoral fraud.
The documents reveal that the U.S. views the Prabowo-Gibran win as a major setback for democracy in Indonesia, largely due to what it perceives as the growing consolidation of a political dynasty and alleged electoral manipulations by former President Joko Widodo. In response, a coordinated campaign, initiated as early as 2023, has reportedly focused on mobilizing civil society, with an emphasis on youth and student-led movements, to challenge Prabowo’s administration.
One prominent initiative, the “Winning the Future” program, is described as an effort to obstruct Prabowo and Gibran from assuming office by empowering opposition forces and creating democratic “pressure points” through a four-pronged approach. The strategy emphasizes youth-driven activism, media funding to counter state narratives, and support for democracy and human rights defenders. Notably, funding for the program is reportedly being channeled not only from OSF and NED but also from additional sources such as the Thousand Currents Foundation, Tara Climate Foundation, and Luminate.
Another key project identified in the documents is the “Strengthening the Students Political Bloc in Java.” Led by a local group, Yayasan Rumah Pengetahuan Amartya, this initiative seeks to politically mobilize Indonesia’s youth, positioning them as a critical force for change. The effort is reported to involve intense political training to galvanize student movements advocating for systemic reforms.
The documents also detail OSF’s funding of local media and creative projects aimed at exposing alleged abuses within the 2024 election. Among these projects is a film titled “Sexy Liars,” produced in collaboration with the Dewi Keadilan Indonesia Foundation and the Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists. The film, along with a viral documentary titled “Dirty Vote,” claims to showcase electoral fraud and has already garnered significant public attention, reaching nearly 10 million views on YouTube since its release in February.
With Indonesia’s electoral commission confirming Prabowo-Gibran’s win, the documents suggest that U.S. efforts have shifted from direct electoral intervention to fostering civil resistance, providing ongoing support to anti-government forces and reinforcing civil society’s role in monitoring Prabowo’s administration.
