February 19, 2025
Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto Three months after taking office, facing the first major protests in his term, prompted by austerity measures designed to fund his ambitious campaign commitments.
When flags and banners parade read “Indonesia Gel” (dark Indonesia), thousands of students across the country recently took to the streets to protest what they said was “increasingly repressive and harmful to the people”.
The demonstrations coordinated by the Association of Student Executive Institutions of All Indonesian Universities (BEM SI) oppose Prabowo’s new budget cuts, including funding to the education sector to fund his free nutrition catering program.
In January, the president issued a presidential directive calling for a total of 306.7 trillion rupees ($18.7 billion) cuts to cut state spending in 2025 to fund his initiatives, including free catering programs. But on Saturday, the president said he was focusing on more savings: more than Rs 75 million this year through multiple fiscal merger phases.
The Ministry of Basic Education and Secondary Education will see up to Rs 8 trillion cuts, including a national funded certification scheme for teachers across the country, giving them monthly benefits.
School Minister Abdul Mu'ti said that only half of the initial goal of 800,000 educators this year can participate in the certification program, which means that the country's total income is lower.
National students protested Monday's request, among other things, to cancel budget cuts and a “full assessment” of the free meal plan, requiring that the plan “not be used as a political tool” and to achieve the lower part of the target – income households.
The rally continued on Tuesday in Bali and Malang, East Java, with students wearing black voting against budget cuts in the public sector, including health care.
“We hope the government will pay attention to our aspirations,” Bem Si coordinator Herianto told Jakarta outpost, If the government fails to meet their demands, it means the group will mobilize more protesters on Thursday.
Demonstrations on the street accompanied by social media storm, national badges, images of garuda, depicting a black background with thematic hashtag #indonesiaagelapand shared millions of times.
Another public dissatisfaction has also emerged in the digital realm as young Indonesians expressed frustration with government policies and discussed the prospect of using labels. #Kaburajaduluthis translates into “has escaped”.
Public dissatisfaction is the impressive 80% approval rate of Prabowo within the first 100 days of January, which was determined by the research department kompas Daily.
Prepare a fully integrated program
Siti Zuhro, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Innovation and Research (BRIN), described this week’s protests as reflecting public dissatisfaction, especially from young people, during his early years of government calibration Poor policies.
SITI called on the president to avoid relying on “digging one hole to fill another” to ensure his campaign promises are fulfilled, adding that it would only lead to public upheavals, which threaten the political stability his administration needs.
“When students experience frustration on the streets, President Prabowo and all cabinet members must seriously consider what they are doing wrong,” Siti told the Post on Tuesday.
Medelina K. Hendytio (CSIS), deputy executive director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized the importance of a “good plan” in the implementation of a free and nutritious catering program at a higher stage.
“The government must show that the plan has been planned and prepared […] Therefore, when opinions and criticisms arise, they can be resolved in the expected way. ” Medlina said during a live discussion Tuesday.
“Give us a chance”
In response to the protests, Secretary of State Prasetyo Hadi asked the public to provide opportunities for President Prabowo’s new administration, noting that it will constantly find solutions to meet the challenges facing the country.
“Indonesia without darkness. We are heading towards rising Indonesia. As a country, we must remain optimistic. We are on the same boat, on the same boat,” Prabowo's Grindra ( Prasetyo, a member of the Gerindra party, told reporters.
Prasetyo urged the public not to misunderstand President Prabowo’s budget cut guidance, saying the policy aims to cut non-productive spending, such as ceremonial activities and unnecessary official travel.
“It is normal to express opinions, but we urge students to watch more. Last Friday, the Finance Minister and the Legislature assured us that budget efficiency measures will not affect education,” he continued.
Prasetyo went on to say that education programs such as Smart Indonesia Card are available to 18.6 million qualified students as well as scholarship and education fund management agencies, within the aid of RP 450,000 to RP between Rs 1.8 million.
