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![#IndonesiaGelap: A call to international journalist
On 17 February 2025, many Indonesian gathered to criticize the new government's ongoing policies and to protest against austerity measures. [1] The planned austerity measures
implemented by Indonesia's Ministry of Finance threaten to cut scholarship programs, pay for lecturers, and threatened many other initiatives, potentially leading to a lower quality of life for all Indonesians. [2]
Alt Text: A large crowd ot protostors, Including mary young people wearing blue and yollow jackets, gatherod for a rally in Jakarta near the "Patung Kuda) landmark. Tho arouo is hoidina various tisas and bannors, with some individuale wearino macke. Tho demonstration is takina olace in an urban area withi
NCnnwe dnenrommin vace in te cecnor ineaownrenondyutonntd
The protests
have taken place in multiple cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and
Wamena. Unfortunately, many of our citizens in Surabaya and Wamena clashed with local law enforcement, as reports indicate that tear gas were shot in Surabaya[3] and live ammunition were allegedly used to suppress protesters in Wamena.[4).
Worse, the lack of media coverage threatens to bury the issue that many Indonesians face today and will continue to face in the future. Many civil servants now face uncertainty regarding their employment, as the austerity measures could impact their roles. Meanwhile, students are worried that they or their friends would be forced to drop out as the austerity measure threatens their scholarships or tuition subsidies.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3wissskstb3hhion5c4jigzc/bafkreih536lis4q7lgsiniwqdtoihjdbzwjxp3hh6qwkmd4bbbnnzejyqq)
![This is our call to all international journalists and media figures, as Indonesia's mainstream media has largely ignored the unrest and unease. You can help us highlight this document on your respective social media and web channels, or use our citations as a basis of further research of your respective articles.
The protest highlighted key demands from the Indonesian public, based on the myriad of issues we already face, compounded by the uncertainties created by the austerity measures. [5].
1. Police reforms
After the death of Gamma Rizkynata Oktafandy, a 16 year old student from Semarang, due to police brutality[6], the public is demanding accountabitity to eliminate police impunity for such actions. We are also calling for reforms to ensure the institution takes decisive disciplinary action against other corrupt law enforcement officers.
2. Energy for the people
Panic and long lines caused by sudden policy changes regarding the distribution of subsidized 3kg LPG canisters [7], along with public opposition to the RUU Minerba (Mineral, Energy and Mining Act) have fallen on deaf ears. The Indonesian public once again demanded that the new government create energy policies that are by the people, for the people. Instead of making the public and various institutions, including religious organizations, complicit in exploitative mining practices by handing out mining grants and rights.[8]
3. Nurture a better quality of life
The austerity measures implemented so far have already cut or halted the operations of various public services and goods funded by our taxes. These include bus services [9]. libraries [10], and job training programs [11], which have either stopped or significantly reduced their operations.
Furthermore, future threats posed by these austerity measures could jeopardize the funding and operation of various social welfare policies and government](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3wissskstb3hhion5c4jigzc/bafkreicwxookekhjsjx7dja4ppy2uamcrnd2udialipsdugvyfubirkxbu)
![1. Tackle budgetary concerne for the pay of teachere, lecturere, and civil servante.
The austerity measures implemented by the government have also threatened the pay for our teachers, lectures, and civil servants. Rounds of layoffs targeting individuals deemed
"non-essential", such as security and janitorial staff on various ministries and other government bodies have already begun [13], with potentially more to come as some ministries are considering to reduce their headcount to meet austerity goals.
Worse, the government has also failed to pay teachers and lecturers a living wage or even pay them on time. For instance, many lecturers have not received their salaries since 2020 and the government has refused to address this issue and order a back pay. [14]
While the working class struggles to make ends meet or faces anxiety over the uncertainty of their employment due to these austerity measures, high-ranking government officials and politicians in Indonesia's House of Representative remain unaffected. They continue to enjoy exuberant pay and benefits[15], untouched by the austerity measures. The public demands that the government address these pressing issues first, before allowing officials to spend their lavish salaries on frivolous luxuries.
5. Optimize Free School Lunch output
The roll-out of Prabowo's free school lunch program or Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), which began earlier this January, has faced myriad of issues that could have been avoided with proper planning, accurate data-drive decision-making, clear goal measurement, and effective collaboration with the public for operational needs.
Instead, the hasty nationwide roll-out is marred by poor quality control, with many schools reporting spoiled food [16] or cross-contaminated meals [17), leading to cases of food poisoning. Additionally, the program has placed significant budgetary strain on the government. Even the new head of Badan Gizi Nasional (National Nutrition Agency), Dadan Hindayana stated in O…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3wissskstb3hhion5c4jigzc/bafkreia4s62zdz6fcvm2goqkvjc3h2fsmrvmzie2esrhg7x2ishx2s6a7i)
![6. Lash out at land mafias and lousy officials.
From Dago Elos [19] to other 48.000 cases of land dispute [20] and 110 agrarian conflicts [21] that happened in 2024 alone, the public demands that the government act swiftly and resolutely in their commitment to mediate these thousands of land disputes. The government must also root out the mafias and speculators behind these conflicts, many of whom hold positions of power that allow them to influence the outcomes of land disputes. These individuals often side with corporations and other oppressors instead of protecting the rights of the people and providing humane solution to relocation of those who are forced to move as a result of
the disoutes.
These are our demands to the new government. However, we also want to take this opportunity to highlight one particular story and the concers caused by the austerity measures, especially their impact on our education sector.
The planned austerity measures could threaten KIP-K (Kart Indonesia Pintar-Kutiah), a social program that provides allowances and tuition fee coverage for approximately 844,174 college students. According to assessments made by Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Technology (MHESRT), the austerity measures could cause approximately 663,821 students to lose their coverage, forcing the Ministry to stop the KIP-K program for new students. [21)
Additionally, the public raised the issue of lecturer salaries once again, as the austerity measures also threaten the national budget allocated for their pay in the 2025 fiscal year. [22) Previously, an alliance of lecturers protested that many of their members had not received pay since 2020, and MHESRT has refused to push for back pay due to administrative issues from the previous administration. (23)
The public alleged that the austerity measures are being used to reallocate funds to Prabowo's free lunch school program, as the Minister of Agricultural Coordination, Zulkifti Hasan, stat…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3wissskstb3hhion5c4jigzc/bafkreiar2udgsu3zswb6kx7dinjgd3kz6lhkrtetdv35wvtkm5s5kuh6am)
