9-6-2023 (JAKARTA) The indigenous community of Baduy in Indonesia has made a formal request for an internet blackout in their area to mitigate the perceived negative effects of the online world, as confirmed by officials on Friday. The Baduy, consisting of 26,000 people residing in Banten province on Java island, have divided themselves into two groups: an outer group that partially embraces technology, and an inner group that adheres strictly to their traditional way of life.
According to a letter seen by AFP, the inner group has asked the authorities to either shut down internet reception or redirect nearby telecom towers to prevent the signal from reaching their community. The letter states that this request is an effort to minimize the adverse impact of smartphones on their people.
Representatives of the Baduy community expressed concerns that the presence of telecommunication towers near their area could threaten their way of life and negatively influence the moral values of their youth who may be tempted to use the internet.
Officials in the Lebak district confirmed that they received the letter on Monday and have agreed to engage in discussions with Indonesia’s Ministry of Information to explore the possibility of fulfilling the community’s request. Budi Santoso, an official from Lebak, stated that their primary objective is to accommodate the wishes of the Baduy people and safeguard their traditions and local wisdom.
While the outer Baduy group relies on the internet for online businesses, officials also expressed concerns about visitors or tourists accessing the web and potentially exposing the community to content deemed inappropriate by their standards.
Internet freedom is a contentious issue in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim nation with conservative values. The government has banned gambling and pornography and mandates that internet providers filter out content deemed inappropriate. However, illegal websites hosting such content continue to proliferate.
The reclusive inner Baduy community, often referred to as the “Amish of Asia” by Western media, have intentionally chosen to live in the forest and reject modern technology, monetary systems, and formal education. They reside in three villages spread across a 4,000-hectare area, located several hours’ drive from the capital city of Jakarta.
Recognizing the cultural significance of the Baduy community, the Indonesian government designated their area as a cultural conservation site in 1990. Indonesia is a diverse nation with over 1,300 ethnic groups scattered across its archipelago.
