Indonesia Gelap - image source: voi.id/Karisa Aurelia Tukan
Thousands of student protesters, united in a movement dubbed "Dark Indonesia", staged simultaneous rallies in Jakarta and a number of regions in the country on Monday, February 17, 2025, criticizing President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka government’s populist policies, in particular budget efficiency and free nutritious meal (MBG) program.
The movement continues on daily basis in major Indonesian cities until today, February 24, 2025 when this article is written and published.
Dedi Kurnia Syah, Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), assessed that the wave of protests occurred because the public objected to the government's various controversial policies and responses to people’s problems.
"Of course, and it seems that (President) Prabowo Subianto is following the power pattern of (7th President) ‘Jokowi’ (Joko Widodo), ignoring public aspirations," Dedi said as quoted by CNN, on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
He considered it reasonable for civil society and students to hold ongoing demonstrations to criticize government policies. Moreover, Prabowo's policies are not in accordance with what is often echoed to the public.
"Because in fact, efficiency with budget cuts is not appropriate, and even risks hampering development," he said.
He assessed that budget efficiency often contradicts Prabowo's previous policy of increasing the number of ministries.
"If it is true that the government wants efficiency, the practice is not to cut the budget, but to cut the portion of positions, institutions or ministries that need to be reduced, because not all of them have an impact on the development needed by the country and nation," Dedi cited.
He added that cutting the education budget is not rational because previously the education budget is not yet optimal in advancing education in Indonesia, while the current government's direction tends to be biased.
Therefore, Dedi appealed to the Prabowo administration to be open to the aspirations and criticisms expressed through the wave of demonstrations. He said Prabowo needs public support in leading Indonesia and implementing various policies.
"The government needs public support, it is good to listen to the public, and evaluate policies," he said.
Besides the “Dark Indonesia” movement, there is a form of public disappointment towards the government regarding the conditions that occur in Indonesia through social media entitled #KaburAjaDulu (Just run away first).
Lili Romli, Senior Researcher at the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) said that the public has placed their hopes on the president and vice president, but what is happening now is beyond the public's expectations.
"Leaders and elites provide new hopes, such as jobs, increased income, increased purchasing power, and a number of other hopes that young people dream of," Lili said as quoted by CNN, on February 18, 2025.
Ali Rif'an, Executive Director of Arus Survei Indonesia (ASI) said the same thing as a complaint of public concern regarding government policies and conditions in Indonesia, because a number of paradoxes have occurred.
"The note is, if the Prabowo government does not immediately clarify and provide strong arguments for the paradoxes that have occurred, such actions could emerge again and continue to grow bigger," he said.
He said further that the budget efficiency carried out by the government is not allocated for essential things such as lecturer performance allowances, but is intended to support the MBG program which has been widely criticized.
Government response
Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, said he did not agree with the headline “Dark Indonesia” used by the student masses in the demonstration. He asked the protesters not to play the narrative that is not true.
Prasetyo asked the people to remain optimistic and united in building Indonesia with the same goal. He also asked the people to understand the government that has only been working for 4 months.
Meanwhile, Yassierli, Minister of Manpower responded to the #KaburAjaDulu headline as an attitude of citizens to improve skills and take job opportunities abroad. He admitted that the government does have challenges and records to create better jobs domestically.
"This is a challenge for us if it is related to their aspirations. Come on, the government, create better jobs, which is what we note and our concern," Yassierli said on Monday, February 17, 2025.
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