Back to the streets: Jakarta Post

In 2022, we write that student movement is the last leg, working to retain its role as an agent of change. However, we insist on hope that young idealism will eventually reactivate its activism due to unreliable decision-making and economic uncertainty. We welcome this hope that is now a reality.

This week’s protests are the fastest protests ever since the reform era since any president took office, and are a clear sign of this renewed vitality. Thousands of students in major cities have taken to the streets to oppose national budget cuts to cut disproportionate education. The austerity measures proposed in the recent presidential decree have raised concerns about priorities for contract workers, wage cuts and an uncertain future. The government’s vision for 2045 talks about the “golden generation”, but its policies tell a different story.

Outside the streets, youth dissatisfaction is also growing online. The viral hashtag #Kaburajadulu (“Let’s Escape”) has become a rally cry for young Indonesians who see a better future abroad. Like the “Japa” movement in Africa, this trend reflects frustrations of economic stagnation, bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of opportunity at home. If the country's most promising mind determines its destiny elsewhere, Indonesia will face potential brain loss that may undermine its ambitions.

This growing disillusionment should be a wake-up call to the administration of President Subiando, Prabowo. Instead, his government seemed to be caught off guard. Prabowo was forced into his first cabinet reshuffle in less than four months – a sign of obvious policy lapses and growing public dissatisfaction. His government must not be complacent by exaggerated approval rates. However, the reality on the ground is far less reassuring.

The key point of frustration is the failure of the government to secure foreign investment. The hesitation of global tech giants like Apple in investing in Indonesia is a national embarrassment. Without the capacity of human resources and a strong ecosystem, the country will strive to compete on the world stage. The education sector, already under pressure, cannot afford reckless budget cuts, further eroding its ability to develop skilled graduates.

Prabowo and his large bureaucracy must act cautiously in the coming months. If the policy remains incorrect with people’s reality and aspirations, student protests were once seen as occasional outbreaks and could escalate into persistent resistance. If this dissatisfaction spreads to the constituencies of his coalition allies, it could weaken his political status long before the 2029 election cycle.

Encouragingly, the cabinet reshuffle expressed recognition of policy miscalculation. The appointment of new ministers to address the consequences of the budget cuts shows that the government is at least listening. However, curriculum correction must go beyond damage control – it must involve a long-term commitment to youth empowerment and education reform.

The challenge now for student activists is to maintain their integrity and focus. The latest revisions to the mining law, although downplayed in wording, still provide the university with room for commercial enterprises. This poses a direct threat to academic independence. Students must make sure that their institutions do not fall into the trap of financial self-interest at the expense of their advocacy.

The revival of youth activism is a promising signal that Indonesia’s democracy is still alive. But activism alone is not enough. Governments must listen, take action and commit to policies that ensure the future of their youth. The alternative (continue to ignore) will drive young Indonesians away from the ballot box or away from the country itself, even if not the distance of the street.