In the grand digital bazaar that is Instagram, where world leaders rub virtual elbows with influencers, meme pages, and cat accounts, Indonesia’s Vice President "Mas Wapres" seems to be carving out a bold new role: social media connoisseur extraordinaire. One might imagine that a man entrusted with the nation’s future would spend his scrolling hours poring over policy briefs and climate reports. Alas, no — the VP’s “Following” list reads more like the front row of a YouTuber boxing match than a statesman’s reading list. There have been instances where Mas Wapres's account was observed following accounts associated with online gambling, including: @bang_jabrik.game, @raffjokiin_, @solutip8.Among the mix of bureaucratic brethren and the usual parade of political faces, one finds unexpected gems — profiles that, on a good day, peddle sports predictions, and on a bad day, start morphing into neon-blinking gambling dens. Naturally, the VP’s office assured us that these accounts were innocent little lambs when first followed, only to transform into digital wolves in sheep’s usernames later on. A likely story, as any weary millennial who’s been “Rickrolled” can confirm.There are even accounts dripping with satire and irony — beloved corners of the internet where ministries of “darkness” are lovingly mocked, and policies are turned into punchlines. What does this say about the Vice President’s media diet? That he’s a man of the people? Or just a bloke with a curious thumb and an itchy “follow back” reflex?Let us not forget the delightful moments when, in the spirit of spontaneity, the VP has followed average citizens after a cheeky comment or two. To be followed by the second-highest office in the land for your wit? That’s one for the CV, surely.All in all, his Instagram reads like a late-night supermarket — a little bit of everything, and you’re not quite sure why you came in the first place. But whatever the reason, it’s clear that in today’s political landscape, your social media feed says just as much as your speech at the UN.In the grand theatre of modern politics, the social media account of a Vice President is no longer a mere afterthought—it is a curated stage, a digital catwalk upon which gravitas and relatability perform a daily duet. Where once the solemn business of governance was confined to press briefings and policy memos, we now find our esteemed officials dallying in filters, emojis, and the occasional cryptic follow. One would imagine that the Vice President’s Instagram, for example, should resemble a dignified portrait gallery: formal engagements, national addresses, and polite nods to international diplomacy. But alas, in practice, it feels more like a teenager’s algorithm-gone-wild.What, then, is the noble purpose of such a platform? In theory, it serves to inform the public, foster transparency, and make the affairs of state accessible to the average citizen scrolling between cat videos and coffee tutorials. But in execution, it often appears more like a chaotic group chat between statesmanship, PR teams, and a very confused AI. Suddenly, one sees the second-in-command of the republic following accounts that post football tips in the morning and gambling codes by night, as if the digital realm itself is pulling a fast one on the nation.Of course, one cannot expect the Vice President to personally vet each account—he is a busy man, presumably burdened with the small matter of national interest. But that raises another question: who is holding the phone? Is it a millennial aide with a sense of humour? A boomered-out PR officer trying to seem hip? Or simply a rogue thumb that has slipped in haste and followed an influencer mid-filter?One must ask: should a Vice President follow only austere institutions and fellow diplomats, or is there room for parody pages, satire accounts, and the occasional absurd meme? Is the goal to lead or to trend? The line between digital diplomacy and digital dilettantism is thinner than ever. And in a world where a single Instagram follow can spark national discourse, perhaps it’s time we rewrote the playbook. Until then, we remain ever vigilant, watching the VP’s follower list like it’s the cast reveal of a reality show.Indonesia, blessed with abundant natural resources and bustling economic activity, faces a shadowy undercurrent of illicit financial flows. According to "Manusia Merdeka", the dirty money generated from online gambling, narcotics, corruption, smuggling, and illegal mining silently seeps into the national economy. This article sheds light on how these unlawful funds travel, transform, and infiltrate legal systems through money laundering schemes, perpetuating cycles of crime and corruption. According to the ever-enlightened Manusia Merdeka, a staggering sum of so-called "White Money"—yes, the squeaky-clean kind—is allegedly being smuggled and repurposed as seed capital for generating "Black Money" to the tune of a mere Rp 5,000 to Rp 7,000 trillion. Because nothing screams fiscal integrity like laundering honesty into organised chaos.Several key sectors act as major sources of illicit funds. Online gambling rings generate vast sums, often crossing international borders. Narcotics trafficking remains a profitable yet dangerous business, while corruption within public offices siphons off state funds. Smuggling of goods and illegal mining exploit loopholes, creating underground cash flows that destabilise economic integrity.Online gambling has proliferated with technological advances, allowing syndicates to operate internationally with relative ease. Narcotics trafficking continues to plague Indonesia’s borders, with authorities reporting large seizures of drugs entering via ports and air routes. Corruption scandals frequently emerge involving state officials diverting funds. Meanwhile, illegal mining operations strip natural resources without permits, often linked to environmental destruction and money laundering.Online gambling has emerged as one of the most significant sources of illicit funds in Indonesia. According to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), the total circulation of money from this activity reached IDR 1,200 trillion in 2025, up from IDR 981 trillion in 2024. A considerable portion of these funds flows abroad, particularly to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Furthermore, approximately IDR 30 trillion was reportedly transferred abroad through cryptocurrency channels in 2024, demonstrating the increasing sophistication of money laundering methods.The illegal narcotics trade continues to play a significant role in the generation of illicit financial flows within the country. While specific figures for 2025 have yet to be released, previous data from PPATK indicated that billions of rupiah move annually through narcotics-related transactions. The proceeds are commonly laundered and used to fund other criminal enterprises, contributing to a complex underground economy.Smuggling activities—ranging from luxury goods to illegal commodities—inflict substantial losses on Indonesia’s economy. Both PPATK and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise have uncovered numerous schemes involving forged documents, misdeclared imports, and covert distribution networks. The funds generated are often laundered through layered transactions designed to evade scrutiny by financial regulators.Illegal mining operations, particularly involving coal and gold, are a significant source of dirty money. These activities not only deprive the state of revenue but also lead to severe environmental degradation. The profits derived from unauthorised extraction are frequently laundered through both local and international financial systems and are often linked to other illegal sectors, including political patronage and regional criminal networks.The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) reported that the turnover from online gambling in the first quarter of 2025 reached IDR 47 trillion, a significant decrease from IDR 90 trillion in the same period of 2024. This reduction is attributed to intensified government interventions, including the blocking of over 1.3 million gambling-related websites.Despite these efforts, PPATK warns that without continued enforcement, the annual turnover could escalate to IDR 1,100 trillion by the end of 2025, especially with the proliferation of fintech platforms facilitating transactions.Corruption remains a significant source of illicit funds in Indonesia. In 2024, PPATK reported that transactions related to corruption amounted to IDR 984 trillion, making it the largest contributor to money laundering cases. These funds are often laundered through investments in property, shell companies, and fictitious businesses.The narcotics trade continues to generate substantial illicit financial flows. While specific figures for 2025 are not yet available, previous reports indicate that billions of rupiah are circulated annually through narcotics-related transactions. These funds are commonly laundered and used to finance other criminal activities, contributing to a complex underground economy.Smuggling activities, including luxury goods and illegal commodities, cause significant losses to the state. PPATK and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise have identified various smuggling schemes involving forged documents and illegal distribution networks. The proceeds from these activities are often laundered through complex financial transactions to evade detection.Illegal mining operations, particularly in coal and gold sectors, are a major source of illicit funds. These activities not only deprive the state of revenue but also cause severe environmental damage. The profits from unauthorized extraction are frequently laundered through both local and international financial systems and are often linked to other illegal sectors, including political patronage and regional criminal networks.At first glance, the laundered money blends in easily. It wears the suit of investment, the façade of real estate development, or even the air of religious donations. But dig deeper, and the roots of this wealth often tell stories of bribes paid under the table, brash officials skimming off public funds, criminal syndicates moving narcotics across borders, or untaxed mining that rips apart Indonesia’s rainforests while enriching powerful figures in the shadows.The process is both calculated and evolving. It begins with placement—injecting illegal money into the financial system, often through cash-heavy businesses such as nightclubs, karaoke lounges, or even e-wallet top-ups. This is followed by layering, where a series of complex and often cross-border financial transactions are executed to obscure the origin of the money. These may involve shell companies registered in offshore tax havens, back-and-forth transfers via cryptocurrency platforms, or art auctions used as a front for over-invoiced payments. Finally, the money reaches integration, where it re-enters the economy in the form of legitimate assets—high-end property, luxury vehicles, or shares in seemingly respectable businesses.Real-life examples reveal how systemic and international these operations have become. In recent years, a British national arrested in Bali for drug smuggling was found to have laundered proceeds via real estate purchases and international transfers. Similarly, a major online gambling network based in Batam with connections to China was caught funnelling billions through Singaporean shell companies and crypto exchanges, leaving Indonesian regulators scrambling to keep pace.These cases are not outliers—they reflect a broader reality where ill-gotten money rarely sits idle. It is dynamic, constantly moving, constantly mutating, and often protected by networks of influence. Politicians have allegedly received funding from illegal logging and mining operations; businesses have risen suspiciously fast thanks to capital injections with no traceable origin. Even campaigns for public office have been funded by questionable donations, cleverly disguised through third-party channels or sham NGOs.Despite efforts by Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) and the tightening of anti-money laundering laws, the fight remains uphill. Launderers are adaptive and tech-savvy, exploiting regulatory loopholes, digital currencies, and lax enforcement in certain jurisdictions. While Indonesia has made strides in collaboration with international watchdogs and adopted risk-based approaches, corruption and institutional weaknesses often blunt these efforts.In the end, what’s at stake is more than just lost revenue. When dirty money gets washed clean, the rule of law is undermined, public trust eroded, and democratic processes contaminated. A society that permits such laundering, knowingly or not, risks allowing crime to dictate policy and shadow figures to shape the nation’s destiny.Breaking the chain requires more than legislation—it demands vigilance, transparency, education, and political will. Only when dirty money has nowhere left to hide can Indonesia claim a truly fair and clean economic future.And for now, we can only sing "Mangu", a song by Fourtwnty,
Siapa yang tau? Siapa yang mau?
[Who truly knows? Who’d even try?]
Kau di sana, aku di seberangmu
[You’re over there, while here stand I.]
