#IndonesiaGelap (Indonesia is Dark) and #KaburAjaDulu (Just Run Away First).

In recent weeks, the social media landscape in Indonesia has been dominated by two viral taglines: #IndonesiaGelap (Indonesia is Dark) and #KaburAjaDulu (Just Run Away First). These phrases have become a rallying cry for many Indonesians expressing dissatisfaction with the country's current trajectory. While I fully acknowledge the underlying frustrations that have fueled these sentiments, I strongly disagree with the fatalistic message they promote. As a doctorate in engineering who has spent years honing expertise in cutting-edge technology and academia, I see Indonesia not as a hopeless case, but as a nation still brimming with untapped potential. However, it is precisely because of this potential that I find the government’s incompetence and inability to address these concerns absolutely unacceptable.

The Flawed Narrative of Hopelessness

I take issue with #IndonesiaGelap and #KaburAjaDulu because they paint a one-sided picture of a nation drowning in despair, seemingly devoid of progress and opportunity. This is simply not true. As a researcher and professional who has had multiple career opportunities—both in Indonesia and abroad—I have seen firsthand that Indonesia continues to produce highly skilled engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and academics who are recognized on the global stage. The challenge is not a lack of talent but rather a government that consistently fails to cultivate and retain this talent.

The choice to “just run away” is not a solution—it is an admission of defeat. The real question we should be asking is: Why is our country driving its best minds away?

A Government That Fails to Deliver

If Indonesia feels increasingly unlivable for many of its citizens, the blame does not rest on the people—it rests on a government that has repeatedly failed to create an environment where success is not just possible, but encouraged. The frustrations fueling these viral hashtags stem from real, tangible problems:

1. Lack of Meritocracy – Key leadership positions continue to be filled based on political allegiance rather than expertise. Innovation is stifled when decision-makers lack the knowledge or vision to support real technological and industrial advancement.

2. Brain Drain Crisis – Talented Indonesians are leaving because opportunities abroad are far more rewarding. The government talks about development but fails to offer competitive wages, research funding, and professional growth for those who could actually drive progress.

3. Rampant Corruption – Resources that should be directed toward education, research, and infrastructure are instead funneled into bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption. This is not just an economic problem—it is a moral failing at the highest levels of leadership.

4. Short-Sighted Economic Policies – While other nations are aggressively investing in technology, sustainable energy, and manufacturing, Indonesia is still bogged down by outdated policies that favor short-term economic gains over long-term national growth.

A Call for a Smarter Fight

I am not saying that people should remain silent about their frustrations. Far from it. However, blindly embracing defeatist taglines does nothing to push Indonesia forward. The focus should not be on running away, but on demanding accountability from the government. Indonesia does not need resignation—it needs real, relentless pressure for reform. It needs a generation of professionals who refuse to be ignored.

If we are angry, let us direct that anger where it belongs—toward policies that fail us, toward leaders who ignore us, and toward systems that hinder our potential. Not toward the nation itself. Indonesia is not dark. It is being kept in the dark by those in power. And that must change.

Let’s not abandon ship. Let’s take the wheel.

Dr H. Randani Malau