"I can't believe it, Indonesia is still rocking that Wakanda-Konoha vibe, are we? It turns out that 'freedom of speech' here is more like 'freedom to whisper... or else, It turns out, 'free speech' is more of a 'suggestion' than a right!' Just ask Sukatani, whose banger 'Bayar, Bayar, Bayar )Pay, Pay, Pay)' (a subtle critique of our oh-so-sensitive constabulary) got Thanos-snapped off the music platforms faster than you can say 'copyright infringement'—because apparently, even cops have feelings, especially when it comes to their wallets, " said Cangik after reading some comments on X. "Indonesia is still the reigning champion of accidental Wakanda/Konoha cosplay. Why? Well, expressing yourself freely here is like playing Jenga – one wrong move and the whole tower (of your career) comes crashing down. Take Sukatani, for example. Their hit single, 'Bayar Bayar Bayar!' (a searing indictment of... well, someone owing money), dared to gently poke the police force. Now it's been memory-holed from the internet. So it is not surprising that #KaburAjaDulu emerged.
Sukatani's 'Bayar Bayar Bayar,' a punk anthem that's less a song and more a public service announcement! It seems this band from Purbalingga struck a nerve with their oh-so-subtle critique of, shall we say, 'fees' associated with various interactions with the police.
The song, released in 2023, quickly became the band's 'hit'. The lyrics, dripping with irony, paint a vivid picture of everyday life, where every service, from getting a driver's license to, allegedly, corruption, requires a 'bayar polisi' (paying the police).
The lyrics are filled with irony, my friend has put it into English words as
Wanna make a driver's license, pay the police
Get pulled over on the road, pay the police
Touring with big motorcycles, pay the police
Minibuses wanna stop, pay the police
Oh dear, oh dear, I have no money
To be able to pay the police
Wanna organize a gig, pay the police
Report lost items, pay the police
Go to jail, pay the police
Get out of jail, pay the police
Oh dear, oh dear, I have no money
To be able to pay the police
Wanna corrupt, pay the police
Wanna evict houses, pay the police
Wanna clear the forests, pay the police
Wanna become a policeman, pay the police
Oh dear, oh dear, I have no money
To be able to pay the police
The song suggests that even becoming a police officer requires payment, further satirizing the situation. It's a commentary on a system where even reporting a lost item or going to jail requires greasing palms1234. The repetitive line "Aduh aduh ku tak punya uang / Untuk bisa bayar polisi" (Oh dear, oh dear, I have no money / To be able to pay the police) encapsulates the frustration of the common person constantly being asked to pay up. In simpler terms, 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' tells us that in Sukatani's Indonesia, your wallet is your get-out-of-jail-free card, and the police are always collecting rent. It's a dark comedy set to a punk rock beat, a satirical serenade about the cost of living, Indonesian style3. The song suggests corruption, highlighting situations where people feel they must pay to get services or avoid sanctions
However, this tale takes a twist! On February 20, 2025, the band issued an apology to the National Police Chief (Kapolri) and the police institution, pulling the song from all streaming platforms. In a video, the band members, unmasked for the first time, said sorry for the lyrics. They said the song was meant for rogue officers, but retracted it anyway.
Many online users rallied to support the band, using the hashtag #KamiBersamaSukatani, which trended on Indonesian Twitter.
Even though there was speculation about Sukatani's marketing strategy, many netizens, including famous musicians, expressed their support for Sukatani, criticizing the perceived stifling of artistic expression. Some created Instagram Story templates to show their support. One netizen wrote, 'Mas Cipoy and Mbak Citra, stay strong!! It's not just the people of Purbalingga who support you, the support is getting bigger. It's okay to rest for a while. Your work has proven to be relevant today. It's just that they're paranoid #KamiBersamaSukatani'. A lot of social media users voiced their disappointment over the song's removal, suspecting that Sukatani faced pressure to withdraw it. Some public figures spoke out, condemning actions that they saw as hindering freedom of expression. A musician commented, 'A song has started to be censored. So sad to hear it.'
The online community's response highlights concerns about freedom of expression and the role of art in critiquing social issues. The incident sparked debates about the boundaries of criticism against law enforcement and government institutions. Sukatani's 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' is not just a song; it's a public service announcement disguised as a punk anthem!
Sukatani's 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' suggests that the price of admission to Indonesian society is a pocket full of bribes, a sentiment that would feel right at home in Monas, which, during the inauguration of 961 regional heads, resembled less a national monument and more a luxury car showroom where the shiniest new policies were waiting to be driven off the lot, presumably after a 'small processing fee'.
Monas, usually a symbol of national pride, was temporarily transformed into a 'parkir mewah' (luxury parking lot)! Forget the historical significance; the real attraction was the dazzling display of wealth on wheels. It was like a scene from 'Crazy Rich Indonesians,' but instead of a wedding, it was a political event. The only thing missing was a velvet rope and a sales representative offering test drives of democracy. Who needs a national monument when you have a monument to automotive excess?'
Ah, Monas, the pride of Jakarta, transformed into a temporary parking lot for the nouveau riche! It seems the dress code for the inauguration was 'bring your flashiest ride.' Forget the speeches; the real spectacle was the vehicular parade of power. One could almost hear the engines roaring, 'We're here to serve... and be seen!' Who needs dancing fountains when you have a shimmering sea of chrome and leather?"
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