This discussion featured Anna (Aliansi Mahasiswa Papua [4]), Vivi (Perempuan Mahardhika), Decmonth (Partai Hijau Indonesia [5]), Mareta Sari (JATAM [6]), and Rizki (ARC [7]). They presented alternative political-economic imaginaries that side with the people, environment, and social justice.

Papua: Indigenous People’s Sovereignty

Anna from the Alliance of Papuan Students emphasised that Papua [8] is facing destruction due to division into six provinces [9] and massive plundering of natural resources. According to her, true knowledge and wisdom lies with indigenous communities, but is now being seized by capitalism.

“Papua’s political imagination is returning to the sovereignty of the Papuan people themselves. Militarism and imperialism must be rejected, and spaces of solidarity for the Papuan people must one hundred percent support self-determination,” said Anna.

She also emphasised the importance of indigenous-based organising methods, by building militant, continuous discussion spaces and involving collective emotion in discussing social issues.

Ecology and Women’s Resistance

Vivi from Perempuan Mahardhika highlighted basic human rights to a healthy environment—clean air, fertile soil, and fair access to natural resources. She criticised the dominance of large corporations that seize people’s rights.

“Environmental destruction can only be prevented if resources are managed democratically, not for a handful of elites. All struggles, however small, are part of the class struggle. Capitalism uses violence against women as a tool of exploitation. Therefore we must organise across issues and intersectionally,” Vivi stated firmly.

Green Politics and Collectivity

Decmonth from the Indonesian Green Party emphasised the importance of people’s political organisation.

“Our imagination starts from life that is clean, just, and sustainable. Our enemies are also organised, so we cannot go it alone. A people’s party is needed so that policies are not only determined by a handful of elites, but emerge from ecological solutions and community solidarity,” Decmonth explained.

Resistance from the Grassroots

Mareta Sari from the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) considered that ecological imagination is increasingly difficult now due to land grabbing, high taxes, and production exploitation. However, she gave an example of a village in East Kalimantan [10] that rejected mining and built alternative ways of life through ecotourism and collective plantations.

“People’s power is far greater than anything. There is no ideal way, but what’s important is that we always speak out, always disrupt, and continue to fight for one hundred percent independence,” said Mareta.

Organisation and Class Analysis

Rizki from ARC emphasised the importance of class analysis-based politics. According to him, since the 1965 decade [11], left political space has been virtually eliminated, even though popular movements need national and international organisational networks.

“Social organisations must have class analysis. Everyone is a worker who experiences discrimination and exploitation. Knowledge production, cadre development, and organising must continue without stopping. Internal criticism must not stop the movement—every organisation’s imagination must live and continue to be fought for,” said Rizki.

This discussion shows that the people’s political-economic imagination never dies out, despite being oppressed by capitalism, militarism, and imperialism. From Papua to Kalimantan, from women’s movements to green politics, voices of resistance continue weaving solidarity across issues. Panggung Merdeka 100% affirms that only through collective consolidation can the people reclaim sovereignty and build a just and sustainable world.

Editorial Note
This discussion is part of the Panggung Merdeka 100% series of activities, a space of resistance and celebration of people’s independence that promotes a vision of Indonesia without exploitation, discrimination, and oppression.

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