Indonesia is falling apart. It did not happen overnight. Years of corruption, poverty, and heavy-handed government have pushed people to the edge. Lawmakers gave themselves huge housing allowances, ten to twenty times higher than the minimum wage, while millions of people struggle to survive in low-paying gig jobs. When 21-year-old delivery driver Affan Kurniawan was crushed under a police armored vehicle while making a delivery, it showed how the government treats poor citizens as disposable and rich leaders as untouchable. His death sparked protests across the country.
STATEMENT OF THE INDONESIAN CAMPUS WORKERS’ UNION (SPK)
SPK has issued a statement regarding the recent unrest in Indonesia, which involved widespread riots, police repression, and the arrests of numerous activists and protesters. pic.twitter.com/AcbeP3m7GS
— Serikat Pekerja Kampus (@pekerjakampus) September 6, 2025
The streets of Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, and Makassar filled with young people, workers, and students demanding change. Soldiers patrolled the streets. Activists were arrested. Social media users were silenced. This is not about one event. It is about a government that fears its people more than it fears its own failure.
“They are not concerned about our fate. These protests arose from the community’s poor economic conditions. We want clean and transparent bureaucracy.” http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/5/indonesia-in-chaos-five-indonesians-give-views-on-why-and-how-to-fix
Kurniawan’s death became a symbol of a system that ignores inequality. At least ten people have died and over a thousand were injured since the protests began. The government has banned activist accounts, arrested people for social media posts, and called dissent terrorism.
“Over 1,000 people injured. More than 40 arrested for social media posts. At least 11 detained for inciting mass action.” http://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/09/06/online-crackdown-haunts-indonesia-protests
President Prabowo Subianto, a former general with a record of human rights abuses, first called protesters traitors and terrorists before promising to cut lawmakers’ perks. His cabinet is the most heavily militarized since 1998. Soldiers reinforced police forces. Units created to help with food security were sent to control crowds.
“Prabowo’s cabinet is the most militarized in Indonesia’s post-1998 Reformasi era. Territorial battalions created for socio-economic development now used to reinforce police.” thediplomat.com/2025/09/indonesias-unrest-revives-fears-over-militarys-expanding-role
The protests are not just about allowances. Citizens see leaders getting rich while schools, roads, and public services are cut. Lawmakers’ $3,000 monthly housing allowance came as the government cut $18 billion from the national budget.
“The House of Representatives asked for a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah per month while Prabowo’s government slashed state expenditures by $18 billion.” http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/indonesia-in-chaos-five-indonesians-give-views-on-why-and-how-to-fix-it/ar-AA1LUaMP
The unrest reminds people of 1998. Protesters attacked government buildings, vandalized homes of politicians, and raised pirate flags under the national banner. Some soldiers watched while looting happened. Others gave cash and drinks to rioters. The same problems that ended Suharto’s rule are showing up again under Prabowo, who was dismissed from the army in 1998 for alleged involvement in forced disappearances of democracy activists.
“The riots are eerily reminiscent of 1998. Prabowo was dismissed after being allegedly implicated in the forced disappearances of democracy activists.” interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2025/09/08/301733/whats-behind-the-rioting-in-indonesia-and-will-the-much-loathed-political-elite-back-down
This is not a temporary problem. It is a wake-up call. The elite, long protected by money and power, now faces people who will no longer stay silent. The riots show deep corruption and abuse of power. If the government continues to ignore poverty, use the military to control citizens, and punish dissent, the next wave will not be protests. It will be a crisis that changes the country.
