In recent weeks, the Purbalingga-based punk band Sukatani has received nationwide attention over their song “Bayar Bayar Bayar.”

Initially released in 2021 on their full-length album Gelap Gempita, Sukatani’s initial spotlight began when Indonesian netizens started to take notice of the song’s direct and blunt social criticism of police officers’ abuse of authority, which is a reality that resonates with many people. However, things turned sour when the song went viral, prompting Sukatani guitarist Alectroguy (Muhammad Syifa Al Ufti) and vocalist Twister Angel (Novi Citra Indriyati) to issue an apology for the opinions expressed in the song and even remove "Bayar Bayar Bayar" from all digital streaming platforms. Given that the song's rise to fame coincided with the country's civil disturbance, as #IndonesiaGelap took to the streets only a few weeks ago, some may argue that the timing is not coincidental, but how come it isn't?

To understand why Sukatani issued the apology and “Bayar Bayar Bayar” removal from streaming services, the song’s virality attracted both positive and negative attention to the band. The biggest personal blowback to the band occurred when Twister Angel, formerly an elementary school teacher in SD IT Mutiara Hati in Banjarnegara, was fired for supposedly breaching the school’s code of ethics. The decision to fire Twister Angel was even supported by the National Federation of Indonesian Teachers (FSGI), who claimed the school was well within their rights.

This was followed by a string of public statements from the National Police Force (Polri) showing support to Sukatani, including Listyo Sigit Prabowo as the head police who mentioned Polri’s openness towards accepting criticism.

In an Instagram post on Saturday (1/3), Sukatani cleared the air about what’s been happening to them, clarifying the reasons why they posted the initial apology video and a general update on the band members following their controversy. According to the post, members of Sukatani were indeed pressured and intimidated by police officers to release the aforementioned apology video, which was then followed by an offer to be the ambassador to Polri after the issue went viral (which was later firmly declined). On the other hand, the public consensus has been openly accepting of the lyrics of "Bayar Bayar Bayar" since many have considered it as a call to the harsh truth in Indonesia. Representing a general sense of concern and dissatisfaction, particularly on freedom of expression and opinion, this reflection of the people's frustrations has been best illustrated by the song's use by university students and political activists at the recent #IndonesiaGelap demonstrations, where people protested the recent government efficiency budgetary spending cuts.

As a greater reflection of what has been happening in Indonesia, Sukatani’s rise to fame shouldn’t come as a surprise.

With outpouring support from fans nationwide, the way Sukatani has resonated with the general public came out of a shared grief for the condition in the country, especially concerning the culture of corruption and lack of transparency that has significantly been bastardized into our daily lives as was sung by Sukatani in their song, but what does that say about the leaders who lead the country? According to the Corruptions Perceptions Index 2024 by Transparency International, Indonesia ranks 99 out of 180 countries with a score of 37/100, indicating corruption’s greater prevalence in the country, though none more considerable than the one as recent as a few weeks ago when the state-owned oil and and gas company Pertamina has cost the country almost 200 trillion IDR. To make matters worse, the Attorney General's Office of the Republic of Indonesia estimated that the country's potential losses in 2023 amounted to 193.7 trillion IDR, with total accumulated losses to this case over five years potentially reaching 1 quadrillion IDR (roughly equivalent to 60 billion USD). While that is bad enough, the ongoing issues of government inefficiency and lack of transparency have caused great frustration and anxiety, as government spending cuts appear to focus on all the wrong places, such as the recent government budgetary cuts made at the expense of the National Disability Commission (KND). As an institution that plays an instrumental role in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Indonesia, their original budget of 5,6 billion IDR has now been drastically cut to a measly 500 million IDR, which many see as a great insult to an already marginalized group.

With everything that has been going on, it’s become easier to feel hopeless and frustrated with the goings-on in society at present. But it all ties back to the relevance of Sukatani’s message, in that it wasn’t meant to pose a grim reflection of the country, but rather a call to action as to what needs to be done and what needs to be rid of.

To allow the culture of corruption to exist, we will also be letting on the decay of morals and values in this country, which the leaders of this country have already done enough of.

That is why we must wake up and face the music, realise the issues that we have around us, and take action.