4 min read –
Indonesia’s Social Unrest – Explained –
People’s fight against injustice –
Good Reasons for Hope –
On August 17, 2025, Indonesia erupted in nationwide joy, celebrating its 80th anniversary of independence with vibrant parades, cultural performances, and a renewed sense of national pride.
The festivities united millions in honoring the country’s journey since 1945.
However, this jubilant mood was abruptly shattered last week by widespread social unrest that swept through Jakarta and other cities.
Protests, violence, and tragedy exposed deep-seated frustrations, reminding Indonesians that their young nation still grapples with systemic challenges.
From August 25 to 31, 2025, Jakarta became the epicenter of massive demonstrations, with protests also reported in Surabaya, Makassar, and other cities.
The unrest peaked on August 28 when Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, was fatally run over by an armored police vehicle near Jakarta’s parliament.
A viral video of the incident sparked nationwide outrage, leading to violent clashes, tear gas, water cannons, and property destruction, including burned bus stops and vehicles.
At least four deaths were reported, including three in a fire in Makassar.
The protests were triggered by public anger over a 50 million rupiah (USD 3000) monthly housing allowance for Indonesia’s 580 parliamentarians, nearly 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage and 20 times that of poorer regions.
Even without this allowance, their monthly income already totals USD 37000 net of tax (source Tempo), a huge amount by Indonesian standards.
This allowance, introduced in 2024, was seen as a blatant display of elite privilege amid rising unemployment, inflation, and other tax increases.
There are other angles of protest, one of them is the reduction of some of the regional budgets, leading to an increase in regional tax, especially the one related to property (proposed increase of 250% !), and falling as an additional burden for the people.
Protesters demanded police reform, the resignation of National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and the passage of the Confiscation of Assets Act to combat corruption, reflecting deep frustration with economic inequality and political insensitivity.
As we reflect on these events, we must distinguish between facts and emotions while remaining vigilant against political manipulation.
Opposition parties may exploit the unrest to gain traction, diluting the protests’ core message: the oligarchs’ abuse of power and the public’s exasperation with injustice.
Insensitive remarks, like National Democratic Party member Ahmad Sahroni calling dissenters “the dumbest people,” have fueled public rage.
Government employees get paid with public money, which comes from taxpayers. So when a government employee insults taxpayers, something is definitely wrong.
It is highly probable, if not inevitable, that paid thugs infiltrated the crowds, escalating chaos and destruction to discredit the movement.
Such tactics, used worldwide, obscure the legitimate grievances of ordinary citizens fed up with leaders who openly mock their struggles.
Be wary of narratives that amplify division or shift blame, as they may serve to manipulate the masses and protect entrenched interests.
The unrest in Indonesia reflects a broader, global issue: inequality is not the root problem, but rather the elite’s insatiable greed for more wealth and benefits, which widens the gap between them and working people.
Politicians can push boundaries, but there is always a tipping point where public tolerance breaks.
Prosperity can coexist with inequality if leaders face accountability for their actions, or inaction.
Yet, worldwide, accountability often relies on media narratives, and those who control the media wield immense power.
Mainstream media, frequently funded by wealthy conglomerates tied to political elites, shapes public perception and protects the status quo.
Indonesia’s protests, like similar movements globally, highlight how unchecked power and media control erode trust and fuel unrest.
Despite these challenges, Indonesia’s young nation (only 80 years old) offers hope.
Unlike older nations where systems of corruption have been refined over decades and centuries, Indonesia’s institutions are still malleable, not yet ossified by entrenched rot.
Recent unrest has been met with significant transparency, with relatively good coverage of events, from Affan Kurniawan’s death to police responses, ensuring the public remains informed.
President Prabowo Subianto’s actions also inspire cautious optimism: he postponed international trips, addressed the nation, and took steps to de-escalate tensions.
His call for calm, while firm against “anarchic” elements, reflects an effort to restore stability.
This responsiveness, coupled with Indonesia’s dynamic civil society, suggests the nation can still course-correct.
For millennia, power has bred abuse, enabled by the ability to manipulate wealth.
Centuries ago, this was called seigniorage.
Today, it’s disguised as “quantitative easing” or, plainly, money printing.
As long as elites can create money out of thin air, history will repeat its cycles of injustice.
However, a TECH solution emerged in 2009: Bitcoin.
This digital token, after a turbulent start, is gaining traction as the world’s first sound money, immune to arbitrary creation by governments or banks.
If Bitcoin succeeds as a global reserve currency, it could dismantle the financial mechanisms that perpetuate elite dominance, fostering a fairer world without the conflicts driven by power struggles.
For Indonesia and beyond, Bitcoin’s success could herald an era of unprecedented freedom and equity, ending the systemic abuses that fuel unrest.
In the meantime, let the music of Iwan Fals (see picture), Indonesia’s legendary singer, inspire reflection.
Often compared to Bob Dylan for his socially conscious lyrics and folk-inspired melodies, Iwan Fals is a cultural icon whose songs capture Indonesia’s socio-political struggles, especially from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Iwan’s music, laced with satire and empathy, remains a powerful reminder of the fight against corruption, poverty, and injustice.
Discover or revisit his work to understand the heartbeat of Indonesia’s resistance.
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Let’s build a prosperous future together in this vibrant, young nation.
PS: To know more about Bitcoin, watch the movie “god bless bitcoin”, available for free on YouTube.
Picture: Iwan Fals
Source: Cintasia