The use of social media as a means of communication and the dissemination of information has become commonplace in the daily lives of the Indonesian people. The advancement of communication technology in Indonesia has made social media one of the media that plays an important role in conveying all discourses or political issues (Maharani and Nurafifah, 2020). Some people take advantage of the momentum of political contestation to seek financial gain, one of which is by working as a buzzer on social media. Buzzers are considered to have a fairly important role in shaping topics of conversation on social media so that not a few political figures or certain candidates empower them to win political contests (Susila et al., 2020).

In the context of political communication governance, the use of buzzers in Indonesia reflects a pattern in which the involvement of digital actors is a strategic instrument in influencing public opinion. However, this phenomenon is not exclusive to Indonesia. Similar dynamics can also be observed in other countries such as Brazil, the Philippines, and even the United States, which have both experienced political communication disruptions due to the role of social media and buzzer groups or troll farms. For example, in the Philippines, buzzers and “keyboard armies” are used in an organized manner to support certain candidates and spread disinformation against political opponents. This practice even has the support of formal political structures, showing the weak regulation and governance of digital communication in the political realm (Ong and Cabañes, 2018). Meanwhile, in the United States, the digital campaign in the 2016 election showed how external and domestic actors used social media platforms to divide public opinion through the spread of hoaxes and digital propaganda (Howard et al., 2018). This comparison shows that the challenge in the governance of digital political communication is a global issue, although each country’s approach and response to this phenomenon can be very diverse. In some countries, stricter regulation and algorithmic transparency of digital platforms are an attempt to balance freedom of expression with democratic integrity. Meanwhile, in other countries, such as Indonesia, strengthening people’s digital literacy and accountability to digital actors is the main challenge that is still being fought.

In the last decade, it has been seen that although initially, buzzers were only a form of product marketing strategy or a way of branding public figures, buzzer activities also targeted issues involving the community’s interests (Sijabat, 2020). The job of a buzzer is not only to increase product sales figures and improve the image of a particular figure, but ironically, it can also reduce the value of a product or bring down the image of that figure (Kelemen, 2017). The presence of buzzers as part of the growth and development of social media users allows everyone to have a voice. Everyone is free to express opinions, comment, or provide opinions/views on an issue or information posted on social media. Then, the buzzer indirectly becomes a communication and information channel for certain parties to defend themselves or maintain a policy in the eyes of the public (Fauzi et al., 2019).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the central government often showed a critical attitude toward the policies taken by the D. K. I. Jakarta government, especially regarding implementing large-scale social restrictions (P. S. B. B.) and managing COVID-19 patient data. The central government often states that the policies implemented by the D. K. I. Jakarta’s government is outside the national policies, focusing more on economic recovery and comprehensive control of the pandemic. This criticism frequently appears in official statements and public discussions, highlighting differences in approach between the two levels of government. The central government assesses that the policies taken by D. K. I. Jakarta needs to be more coordinated and pay attention to the economic impacts they cause, affecting social and financial stability in the capital city.

On the other hand, political buzzers also play an essential role in shaping public opinion regarding the flood management policies implemented by the D. K. I. Jakarta government. Political buzzers, who often operate through social media, spread narratives that support or criticize specific policies, depending on political affiliation—buzzers supporting Anies Baswedan, Governor of D. K. I. Jakarta often emphasizes the Provincial Government’s success in dealing with floods, such as quick steps in responding to floods and transparency in managing disaster funds (Gustomy, 2020). They also often share information about government efforts to improve drainage infrastructure and normalize rivers to reduce the risk of flooding. However, buzzers who are at odds with Anies Baswedan or support the central government often criticize flood management policies, which are considered ineffective and poorly coordinated. They highlighted the problem of preparing regional income and expenditure budgets (APBD), which were deemed not to prioritize optimal flood management.

This criticism also includes the view that the policy does not pay enough attention to collaboration with the central government and other related institutions so that it can make the situation worse when a flood disaster occurs (Anugerah, 2022). This narrative contestation creates societal polarization, where each party tries to strengthen its position through various social media platforms. The role of political buzzers is very significant in shaping public opinion, which, in the end, can influence political stability and the successful implementation of public policy. Political buzzers convey information and opinions that support or oppose specific policies and often take advantage of moments of crisis to criticize their political opponents. This can be seen from the use of the flood issue and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as a tool to attack the policies of the government in power, both at the regional and national levels.

The central government’s rejection of Anies Baswedan’s policies includes constitutional rejection. The constitutional opposition is described as a body that accepts the state’s legitimacy and is prepared to work within the structures and processes prescribed by the Constitution. This opposition may not agree with the actual government but seeks to influence government activities (Masduki, 2020). The opposition must have opportunities and resources in parliament to influence government activities. According to Helms, the character of the opposition is related to the character of the government. What Anies Baswedan’s policies have shown so far is different, even contrary to the concept of the central government, resistance, or disobedience, because all the opposition’s behavior and expressions shown are still within the framework of the constitution (Satriadi et al., 2021).

During the administration of Governor Anies Baswedan, the D. K. I. prepared many policies. Jakarta’s government was far from the community’s wishes. It would not be wrong if the resolution of this resistance drew protests from Jakarta residents (Sulistyaningtyas et al., 2020). One example of his policies during the COVID-19 pandemic is Anies Baswedan, one of the leading political actors in D. K. I. Jakarta was kept from this problem. According to CNN Indonesia, when Jokowi announced that a Depok resident had tested positive for corona, Anies had previously stated this. It was revealed that there were 115 patients in D. K. I. Jakarta and 32 people were observed on the same day; Anies also said that he had issued the governor’s instructions regarding handling the coronavirus and forming a response team (Larasatie et al., 2022). This incident proves Anies is one step ahead of the central government. It is not impossible that behind Anies’ vigilance, there is political rhetoric that he wants to show. If viewed in general, the establishment of a policy is considered as an effort used to achieve specific goals and also as an effort to solve problems in a certain way within a particular period (Fealy, 2020).

Anies’ proactive steps received a critical response from the central government. The central government assesses that Anies’ actions before the national announcement could cause confusion and panic in society. In addition, the central government believes that Anies’ policies are often poorly coordinated with the national strategy, which is more focused on economic recovery (Ryan, 2022). The critical attitude of the central government toward Anies’ policies shows significant differences in approaches to handling the pandemic, thus indicating substantial challenges in achieving coordination and synergy between the central and regional governments (Indriyana and Pangesti, 2022). This becomes increasingly complex due to differences in priorities between maintaining public health and restoring the economy, which ultimately gives rise to significant political tensions and dynamics amidst efforts to handle the global health crisis (Arianto, 2019).

However, several policies implemented by the D. K. I. Jakarta Provincial Government under the leadership of Anies Baswedan is considered ineffective by some residents and observers. Criticism has emerged regarding the slow development and revitalization of the drainage system and the handling, which is often only temporary and without long-term solutions. Efforts to normalize rivers and other flood control programs are frequently hampered by various technical and administrative obstacles, causing communities to repeatedly face the negative impacts of flooding. It can be interpreted that policy is a series of program plans, activities, actions, decisions, attitudes, actions, or inaction carried out by the parties (actors) as stages of resolving the problems faced. The following image explains the types of policies (Sinaga et al., 2023).

Figure 1 explains the Types of Public Policy. (1) Public policy is more of a conscious action oriented toward achieving goals rather than random and unintentional behavior/actions. (2) Public policy consists of interrelated actions with a pattern that leads to the achievement of specific goals carried out by the government and is not an independent decision. (3) Public policy regarding activities/actions deliberately carried out consciously and measurably by the government in specific fields. (4) Public policy can be favorable because it guides the government’s actions in dealing with a particular or negative problem because government officials decide not to do something. Therefore, based on the explanation above, researchers are interested in studying this research because Anies Baswedan is the governor of the Indonesian capital and is a figure who has received a lot of media attention because of several of his policies (Aswar, 2018). The formulation of the problem that will be proposed in this research is: What is the behavior of the Central Government Opposition through Buzzer toward Anies Baswedan’s policies?

This research aims to advance understanding of how digital platforms are used not only as a public communication channel, but also as a strategic tool in political contestation. By focusing on the digital behavior of the central government’s opposition—particularly through the role of buzzers—against a high-profile regional head like Anies Baswedan, this study provides a clearer picture of the importance of online political influence and the formation of public perception in a decentralized democratic system. Furthermore, this research contributes to the discourse on political opposition by showing that current opposition does not only take place in formal arenas such as parliament, but also takes place in the digital realm, where narratives are debated, legitimacy is at stake, and political capital is exchanged. Thus, this study helps to map the dynamics of resistance and the influence of informal politics in the digital age, especially in Indonesia’s unique socio-political context. The findings of the study may also provide comparative insight into how political digital opposition has emerged in other democratic countries that have undergone similar transformations in media and governance structures.

The theoretical implications of this study lie in the enrichment of perspectives in the study of political communication and digital political opposition theory. This research highlights the role of non-formal actors such as buzzers as part of complex political ecosystems, and how they influence public discourse and reinforce or disrupt the practice of deliberative democracy. These findings can be used to develop new models for understanding power structures and resistance in the digital age, where the boundaries between formal and informal actors, between journalism and propaganda, are increasingly blurred. Practical implications of this study target policy makers, political communication practitioners, and the wider community. For policymakers, the results of this research can be the basis for formulating more transparent and accountable regulations related to political activities on social media, especially those involving buzzers or digital campaigns. For practitioners, an understanding of buzzer strategies and impacts can be helpful in designing more ethical and impactful communication approaches. Meanwhile, for the public, this research is expected to increase digital literacy and critical awareness of the political information they consume every day.

This research is classified as qualitative research with a literature study approach. Data collection techniques are carried out through documentation from various online media sources, social media, and journal articles relevant to the research object (Sahide et al., 2022). The data collected came from platforms such as Twitter, national online news portals, and scientific journals that discuss public policy and political dynamics in Indonesia, with the data collection time range from March 2020 to December 2021. The data selection was carried out based on the criteria of relevance to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s policies related to handling COVID-19 and flood mitigation, and reflecting the response from the central government and political buzzers.

The data analysis was carried out using the NVivo 12 Plus application, which is a text-based qualitative analysis software. In this process, data is imported into NVivo to be analyzed using word frequency exploration techniques, thematic coding, and mapping of relationships between themes to identify categories of factors or subfactors that appear in public discourse related to Anies Baswedan’s policies (Sundari et al., 2022). The app is also used to segment data based on attributes such as media source, time period, and tone of discourse (positive, negative, or neutral). To ensure the reliability and validity of the data, source triangulation was carried out by comparing data from various platforms, as well as cross-validation between researchers to ensure consistency in the coding and interpretation process. This step is important to ensure that the results of the analysis represent reality objectively and are not biased toward one point of view only (Sundari, 2022). The research framework can be described as follows in (Figure 2).

The presence of opposition parties in the political environment is necessary to pave the way for power circulation, especially in a democratic country like Indonesia (Edgar et al., 2021). The opposition’s task is to control the government’s performance in power. With the presence of the opposition, electoral politics becomes more competitive and attractive (Azmi and Kusumasari, 2021). Without an influential opposition role, the rotation of power as one of the fundamental pillars of democratization will not occur, which means the decline of democracy. Opposition in democratic life is a concept that cannot be separated. In the political context, especially in democratic life, there are several opposition functions (Shatkin and Soemarwi, 2021); the first is a balance of power. In this case, the meaning of balance can essentially be interpreted as the existence of forces outside the government that provide alternative thoughts or attitudes and create balance so that the government is not too far from the interests of most people (Briandana et al., 2020). The primary meaning of this balancing is to remember that there are times when a democratically elected government ends up falling into a government that is against the will of the people (Tanasaldy, 2022).

Second, the importance of the opposition is to maintain alternative policies so they can be voiced. The opposition will allow more policy options or alternatives to improve government policy (Lusiani et al., 2020). This is in line with the fact that every government has mistakes. Even the best government still requires indirect support from opposition groups better to capture the aspirations and interests of the community (Pratama et al., 2019). Third, another essential meaning of the opposition is as a stimulus for healthy competition between political elites and the government. A government will experience stagnation, even decline, if it does not receive challenges from competent parties and can show the public that other policies are more reasonable than government policies (Mujani and Liddle, 2021). The existence of an opposition will make the government in power conscious and aware that other parties can offer better policies and, in turn, have the potential to disrupt the government’s positive image in the eyes of the public (Edgar et al., 2021).

The government’s opposition to Governor Anies Baswedan’s policies is not new. Several of his policies received extensive media attention and were even canceled by President Joko Widodo (Fealy, 2020).

Figure 3 explains several policies of the Provincial Government of D. K. I. Governor Anies Baswedan and President Joko Widodo canceled (1) Restricting Public Transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic, D. K. I. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan decided to limit the number of busses and trains in D. K. I. Jakarta. The Integrated Raya Mode Series, which usually consists of 16 series, has been reduced to 4. The M. R. T. arrival schedule is also longer, 20 min from the previous 10 min. The Jakarta LRT also experienced a change in arrival time from 10 to 30 min. Then, set the operating hours for public transportation in Jakarta to only operate from 06.00–18.00 WIB and limit the number of passengers taking public transportation to minimize physical contact with passengers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Satriadi et al., 2021). However, according to President Joko Widodo, this step was taken to reduce queues and crowds so that people can maintain their distance from each other, not just to reduce crowd levels, reduce queues, and reduce public density in transportation. So they can keep their distance (Mietzner, 2020a,b).

(2) Stopping Inter-City Inter-Provincial Bus Services (A. K. A. P.), besides limiting public transportation, the D. K. I. The provincial Government also prohibits the operation of Inter-City Busses (A. K. A. P.), Inter-Provincial Transportation (A. J. A. P.), and Tourism in Jakarta by closing the—terminal, according to Governor Anies Baswedan, and the spread of COVID-19 in several areas in D. K. I. Jakarta is believed to be reduced. However, on the same day, the Ministry of Transportation postponed the service ban because the delay differed from the direction of the Acting Minister of Transportation (Luhut Pandjaitan). (3) Regional Quarantine: D. K. I. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan proposed to President Joko Widodo that the D. K. I. The Jakarta area will be quarantined, allowing several sectors to continue operating normally. The sectors in question are energy, food, health, communications and finance. This means that other basic needs must be able to carry out activities. However, President Jokowi took a stand the next day by rejecting Anies’ request to quarantine in Jakarta (Rüland, 2017).

(4) Revitalization of Monas, one of the things that has become a polemic is the revitalization permit from the central government. These regulations are contained in Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 25 of 1995 concerning the Development of the Medan Merdeka Area in the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. However, the revitalization was built without obtaining permission from the Steering Committee and went through regulated stages (Sahide et al., 2022). (5) Formula E Still related to Monas, the Formula E electric car racing event which was supposed to be held in the Monas area did not receive approval from the Steering Committee due to cultural heritage factors, asphalt and so on. So, it is not surprising why the behavior of the central government’s opposition through buzzers to Anies Baswedan’s policies is often in the spotlight because his policies are contradictory and precede the policies of parties who are more powerful than him (Aswar, 2018) (Table 2).

Large-scale social restrictions P. P. No.21 of 2020 31 March 2020 P. P. No.21 of 2020 31 March 2020 Submission of regional quarantine in D. K. I. Jakarta to the central government and simulation of regional quarantine Telegram letter No. S. T./414/III/OPS.2/2020 March 28, 2020. The D. K. I. Jakarta provincial government’s various innovations in handling COVID-19 are one of the advantages of decentralization practices. Regional governments are responsive to multiple problems because regions can immediately implement these problems without waiting for instructions from the center. This form is called autonomous authority (local self-government) (Edgar et al., 2021). This step certainly does not mean that the Central Government is not carrying out its role in handling COVID-19. In a unitary state, the Central Government holds the highest authority in a country (Tanasaldy, 2022). The Central Government can transfer regional powers to other regions or return them to the Central Government (Azmi and Kusumasari, 2021). Article 16 of Law Number 23 of 2014 explains that the role of the Central Government in administering regional government is to establish norms, standards, procedures, and criteria (N. S. P. K.) in the implementation of government affairs.

Figure 4 explains the Actor Collaboration Scheme that Opposes D. K. I. Governor Anies Baswedan’s Policy. Based on the author’s analysis, the results show that the multi-actor network through Buzzer, which is always highlighted, consists of President Joko Widodo, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Mahfud MD and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, apart from the policy actors prepared by the D. K. I. Jakarta’s government, Anies Baswedan, is also far from the community’s wishes, and the policies Anies takes are one step ahead of those of the central government. It is not wrong that the resolution of this resistance resulted in protests from Jakarta residents (Briandana et al., 2020). The Government Collaboration Scheme requires support from opposition groups in order to be more effective in capturing the aspirations and interests of the community as a whole. This collaboration is not only a practical strategy, but also an important part of the development of government science, especially with the emergence of the concept of governance that emphasizes the importance of the involvement of various actors, including the government and non-governmental parties. This approach shows that the implementation of inclusive governance requires cross-sectoral engagement to create more responsive and sustainable policies. Furthermore, collaboration can also be an alternative solution to the lack of involvement of interest groups in the decision-making process as well as an effort to overcome the failure of conventional managerial approaches in organizations or government institutions. Thus, collaboration between stakeholders is an important foundation in strengthening the legitimacy and effectiveness of governance (Fealy, 2020).

These are WordCloud results researchers produced based on the analysis carried out using Nvivo 12 Plus software. The results from WordCloud depict the relationship between the role of central government and society in government policy as inaccurate. The themes that emerge show how vital the role of policies made by the government is; cooperation between governments is also needed in creating policies, and support from the community is also essential for the government. Public policy has been widely implemented in Indonesia, and it is currently an exciting issue to research. Public policy is a crucial form formed by the government and several other interest groups, including society, which aims to provide solutions to resolve a problem (Sabatier, 2007). Most experts in the field of public policy define public policy as relating to decisions or decisions taken by the government to carry out actions that are considered capable of having a good impact on people’s lives. Public policy is vague, narrow, broad, and strategic (Setijadi, 2021) (Figure 5).

The current phenomenon shows that many people feel disappointed with the policies taken by the government because they are deemed not to represent their interests, resulting in a crisis of trust in institutions and policy-making actors (Sahide et al., 2022). The participatory policy process is a rule that the government must implement. Formulating this policy requires the government to make decisions from the bottom up. Still, this rule needs to be more effective (Mujani and Liddle, 2021)—criticism and support among politicians for implementing D. K. I. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s policies have become a controversial and hot topic of conversation among political figures in Indonesia. This event, which has drawn pros and cons expressed by political figures in Indonesia, always attracts the attention of the mass media as news material, such as Reports regarding planning, implementation of activities, and policies regarding the implementation of Formula E Jakarta, attract the attention of the mass media. In the current era, there are even government instruments or political party actors tasked with manipulating public opinion online (Buzzers) who have the power to construct reality. In this case, what is meant is the power to frame various existing problems to be presented for public discussion (Hadita and Mulyaningsih, 2022).

Figure 6 shows that the relationship between the roles of the central government and the community in government policy is not appropriate; the role of the media builds government interaction in making policies, and inter-governmental power is needed in making decisions; innovation in every government policy and exemplary implementation is essential. Every policy also requires permission from the highest authority in each country (President); Anies Baswedan, as Governor, is the political elite, trying to make bold breakthroughs. This has become a polemic in society regarding Anies Baswedan’s leadership style in creating policies because a leader’s style as a political elite also determines how policies are formulated and implemented. Leadership style is an approach formed by a leader to lead, influence, and mobilize the human resources he leads so that they work well and effectively to achieve planned goals (Shatkin and Soemarwi, 2021).

A country’s government requires a leader to lead the organization and its members in one rhythm to achieve common goals. Leadership is the power to influence someone to do or not do something. For this reason, leadership requires the active use of abilities to influence other parties and realize the organizational goals that have been set. A leader is responsible for making decisions, carrying out activities, and making new regulations (Chen et al., 2019). Leaders use formal authority, defined as efforts to organize, direct, and control the subordinates they are responsible for and to coordinate all parts of the work to achieve goals. Even if the character is studied, a leader must first be someone who can grow and develop the best in his subordinates (Mujani and Liddle, 2021).

Figure 7 shows the results of visualizing the relationship between the roles of the central government and the community in inappropriate government policies. In this research, the implementation of government policies requires regulations and strategies to overcome conflicts that occur in society. After the public policy implementation process, the next most crucial cycle is the policy evaluation stage. It is from this policy evaluation process that we can assess and obtain results from the public policies that have been implemented. Every policy implemented by the government generally receives a response from the community. This response depends on the perception and interests of the community. Usually, it causes an unbalanced reaction to take advantage of the positive and negative impacts of the policy (Bourchier, 2019). This gives rise to the assessment that the policy of the Governor of D. K. I. Jakarta is described as a leader who needs to improve planning and decision-making. The Special Capital Region (D. K. I.) is the capital of the Republic of Indonesia, and it is of concern to all regions. Many things encourage people to want to experience a better life and choose to migrate to the capital of the Republic of Indonesia (Mietzner, 2020a,b).

Anies Baswedan is one of the central figures in DKI Jakarta. As Governor, he has the authority to set various policies that he believes can bring progress to the region he leads. Many parties consider Anies as a figure who has a strong leadership appeal. He often believes that his decisions are the right step and will not cause rejection from various circles. However, the news disseminated through political buzzers shows a different narrative, namely that Anies is often considered arrogant and acts arbitrarily in decision-making, especially because the policies taken are often different or even contrary to the policies of the central government (Ganjar Herdiansah et al., 2017) (Figure 8).

The diagram results show that reporting on political buzzer issues regarding Governor Anies Baswedan is divided into two main categories: positive and negative. Of the total news, 53% were positive, while 47% were negative. This percentage shows a relatively balanced news distribution, with a slight dominance of upbeat problems. Buzzers supporting Anies Baswedan tend to highlight the governor’s positive steps in various government aspects. For example, the fast and transparent handling of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta is often praised as evidence of proactive and responsive leadership. Apart from that, innovative policies in the transportation sector, such as the launch of Jak Lingko and the development of integrated public transportation, have also received positive attention. The river and public space revitalization program has also become material for positive news that emphasizes the provincial government’s efforts to improve the quality of life for Jakarta residents.

In contrast to those who support Anies Baswedan, buzzers who are critical of his leadership tend to highlight policies perceived as controversial, ineffective, or misaligned with public interest. A major point of criticism centers around the preparation of the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD), which is often accused of lacking transparency and failing to reflect the actual priority needs of the community. Another recurring issue is the management of floods in Jakarta, where critics point to the sluggish pace of infrastructure development and the limited impact of implemented measures, arguing that these efforts fall short of delivering sustainable, long-term solutions. Furthermore, policies related to spatial planning and the issuance of development permits have also been scrutinized, particularly when they appear to disproportionately benefit certain groups or private interests. These criticisms reflect a broader concern among opposing buzzers regarding governance practices, accountability, and the equitable distribution of public resources under Anies Baswedan’s administration. Leaders are very influential in moving the wheels of the organization they lead. In social life, the nation and state must have leaders in every organization, both large and small (Fauzi et al., 2019). The provincial government has a governor who is the leader, and the political elite governs the region to achieve its goals. Anies Baswedan as Governor of D. K. I. Jakarta is a ruling elite who can make policies. In government organizations, leaders are present as policymakers where all kinds of policies issued can be implemented well so that they can be enjoyed by all citizens and communities as well as the stakeholders they lead (Idris, 2018). Government leadership is closely related to policy, as in D. K. I. Jakarta, Governor Anies Baswedan made policies that had an extraordinary impact on regional stakeholders (Putri et al., 2022).

This research makes a significant theoretical contribution to the understanding of political systems within the framework of the theory of The Political System from David Easton. Based on the findings of the study, the dynamics of the political buzzer discourse on Governor Anies Baswedan’s policies which are divided into positive and negative narratives clearly reflect the mechanism of the political system as stated by Easton: input, conversion process, output, and feedback. Theoretically, this study validates Easton’s framework that public policy is not the result of unilateral decisions, but rather the product of complex interactions between various political actors. Findings on how buzzers provide support or criticism for policies such as PSBB, river revitalization, and flood management show that feedback comes not only from formal institutions (e.g., the central government or legislative institutions), but also from informal digital actors who have the capacity to influence public opinion at large.

Furthermore, this study refines Easton’s approach by proposing an expansion of the scope of actors in the modern political system, namely including political buzzers as part of the input and feedback elements that operate dynamically in the digital space. Buzzers not only convey public responses, but also shape, manipulate, and even produce opinions through strategically constructed narratives. This opens up opportunities for modification of Easton’s theory by considering the role of social media and non-institutional actors in disrupting or strengthening the public policy cycle. In terms of novelty, this study is different from previous studies that generally focus on the relationship between institutional actors in the policy cycle or only see buzzers as a tool to spread hoaxes and propaganda. This research offers a new analytical approach by treating buzzers as intermediary actors in digital political systems that actively shape the flow of feedback and, in some cases, influence the policy conversion process. This research also shows that the intensity and direction of buzzer discourse can reflect ideological tensions between the central and regional governments, which is a form of contestation in the digital political space. This means that the political system is no longer limited to formal interactions between elites, but has evolved into an open field of contestation involving citizens and digital actors who do not always have institutional accountability.

From the research results, the central government’s opposition to the Jakarta government’s policies in handling COVID-19 is based more on the ego of power. The central government wants to show political dominance rather than provide support, thereby hampering collaborative efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Meanwhile, the critical attitude of political buzzers toward the Jakarta government’s policies in handling floods is not objective. It is based more on hatred of the governor’s figure, Anies Basweda. There are similarities between the central government’s critical attitude toward the Jakarta governor’s policies in handling COVID-19 and the political buzzer’s critical attitude toward the Jakarta governor’s policies in handling floods, namely that they seem different and therefore not constructive. The research results inspire the importance of a constructive critical attitude so that central and regional governments can run effectively.

This research also shows that the government’s rejection of Governor Anies Baswedan’s policies is nothing new because several of his policies received much media attention and were even canceled by President Joko Widodo. The President believes that, with his power, Anies Baswedan takes policies with specific goals—criticism and support among politicians for the policies of D. K. I. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has become a controversial and hot topic of conversation among political figures in Indonesia as Governor of D. K. I. Jakarta, Anies Baswedan has excellent power in determining policy direction, meaning that each of his policies always attracts the attention of the mass media. Apart from that, in the current era, there are government instruments or political party actors whose job is to manipulate public opinion online (buzzers). They can frame various problems to be displayed and become a public conversation. This shows that buzzers are essential in constructing reality and public opinion to influence public perceptions of government policies.

This research has several important practical consequences in the context of the relationship between central government, local governments, and the dynamics of digital public opinion mediated by informal actors such as political buzzers. First, the finding that the central government’s rejection of the Jakarta Provincial Government’s policies in handling COVID-19 is more political and ego-oriented to power shows the need to strengthen coordination across levels of government based on public interest, not political rivalry. Therefore, it is necessary to reformulate the communication and collaboration mechanism between governments with a participatory and transparent approach, so that the policies issued can run synchronously and on target. Second, the sharp criticism from the political buzzer of the flood management policy in Jakarta which is based more on hatred for the figure of Governor Anies Baswedan than on the substance of the policy itself, shows the importance of building a constructive digital political communication ethics. The government and civil society need to encourage regulation and public education to minimize the spread of tendentious narratives that are not objective and divisive.