Ahmad Rizky Wahyudi, Anas Ahmadi

Criminal Hegemony in the Novel Lodan saka Segara Kidul by Kukuh S. Wibowo: Gramsci's Perspective

Introduction

Criminal hegemony in the novel lodan saka segara kidul by kukuh s. Wibowo: gramsci's perspective. Explore criminal hegemony in Kukuh S. Wibowo's "Lodan saka Segara Kidul" through Gramsci. Reveals how a criminal transitions to politics, gaining power via wealth, image, and ideological infiltration.

Abstract

The connection between thuggery and power gives rise to a new face of politics laden with criminal hegemony. This concept is vividly depicted in the Javanese novel Lodan saka Segara Kidul (LSSK) by Kukuh S. Wibowo. Through a mystery-driven narrative, the novel exposes the transformation of Rahsana, a criminal gang leader, who changes his name to Hendarsa Prabancana and reinvents himself as a politician using slick yet effective hegemonic strategies. This research aims to reveal the representation of criminal hegemony in LSSK by Kukuh S. Wibowo through the lens of Gramsci’s theory, supported by other theories such as the normalization of crime, political oligarchy, self-image management, and more. The study employs a descriptive-qualitative method, emphasizing content analysis and literature review to examine novel narratives. This approach aims to identify forms of criminal hegemony, strategies for transitioning from crime to politics, and their societal impact. The findings demonstrate that Rahsana/Hendarsa utilizes wealth acquired through crime, money politics, and public image-building to gain legitimacy and maintain power. Hegemony does not manifest solely through physical domination but also through ideology that infiltrates social structures. These findings reflect how criminal practices can adapt within democratic systems and become part of legitimate political frameworks. This research contributes to enriching the study of Indonesian crime fiction while opening a critical discourse on the relationship between crime, politics, and the legitimization of power.

Review

This paper presents a highly relevant and timely exploration of "criminal hegemony" within the distinctive cultural context of Indonesian literature. By analyzing Kukuh S. Wibowo's Javanese novel, *Lodan saka Segara Kidul (LSSK)*, the research adeptly uses Gramsci's theoretical framework to uncover the complex transformation of a criminal gang leader, Rahsana, into a legitimate politician, Hendarsa Prabancana. The study's focus on how political power can be reconfigured through the strategic application of criminal influence offers a compelling lens into the often blurred lines between illicit and legitimate authority, making a strong case for the novel's significance as a socio-political commentary. Employing a descriptive-qualitative methodology with an emphasis on content analysis, the research meticulously dissects the narrative of *LSSK* to reveal the sophisticated mechanisms of criminal legitimization. The findings clearly demonstrate that the character's transition is achieved not merely through brute force but through a nuanced combination of illegally acquired wealth, "money politics," and calculated public image-building. Crucially, the paper highlights that hegemony, in this context, extends beyond physical domination to an ideological infiltration of social structures, showing how criminal practices can adapt and even thrive within democratic frameworks, becoming integral to perceived legitimate political processes. The paper offers a valuable contribution to the study of Indonesian crime fiction, simultaneously opening a critical discourse on the intricate relationship between crime, politics, and the legitimization of power in contemporary society. Its insightful analysis of a literary text provides a potent means to understand complex socio-political phenomena, particularly the adaptability of illicit networks within democratic systems. This research serves as an important critical commentary, enriching our understanding of how power operates beyond conventional boundaries and encouraging further exploration into the cultural representations of such critical societal issues.

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