protests - Indonesia at Melbourne

A year of protests: what 2025 says about Indonesian democracy

Indonesia’s pro-democracy forces cannot afford to remain divided. 2026 will not be easy for them. Whether Prabowo succeeds in consolidating his power or whether his bid to centralise political and economic power is met with opposition from other elites, the country is in for another tumultuous year.

Melbourne Bergerak: assertive long distance nationalism and the rise of oppositional activism

Analysis, Politics, Society

Diaspora attitudes changed dramatically on the night of 28 August. The killing of Affan Kurniawan—a 21-year old Gojek driver—by an armoured police car was captured in multiple viral videos. It shook many Indonesians to the core.

Influencers vs CSOs in a backsliding democracy: insights from the August protests

Analysis, Society

After recent major demonstrations, including #PeringatanDarurat (EmergencyWarning), #IndonesiaGelap (DarkIndonesia) and #ResetIndonesia, the public sphere in Indonesia has become increasingly fragmented.

Groups involved in Indonesia’s August protests: why and how they engaged in violence

Analysis, Politics

A key concern from the recent Indonesian riots is the targeting of private residences of legislators and technocrats—an emerging development. Historically, rioters focused on commercial areas, malls, and vehicles. Yet, influenced by Nepal’s example circulating on Indonesian social media, protesters have shifted toward attacking the homes of politicians and officials. While provocateurs may be orchestrating this trend, the normalization of such targets risks making attacks on private residences a spontaneous feature of future unrest.

Old playbook: ‘foreign agent’ narrative invoked to deligitimise Indonesian mass protests

Analysis, Politics

To counter the government’s foreign agent narrative, civil society organisations (CSOs) need to respond in a strategic manner. First, they should make transparency a top priority by making public the sources of their funding and allowing their activities to be checked by independent groups. This will preempt allegations of foreign influence. For example, CSO involved in past demonstrations, such as the 2019 protests, should publish verified donation reports.

Talking Indonesia: overseas responses to Indonesia's protests

Politics, Society, Talking Indonesia

In today's special episode, Elisabeth Kramer talks to organisers behind Aliansi Gusar, a grassroots based organisation concerned with justice and equality in Indonesia. They share their thoughts and experiences regarding the current protests and organising around ongoing issues in Indonesia.

Talking Indonesia: Indonesia's new protest movements

Analysis, Politics, Society

Ibu Ana, a housewife in Jakarta, caught the national mood when she was photographed in the rain in thongs and a pink headscarf, facing down a cordon of heavily armed police officers with the Indonesian flag on a bamboo pole. Who are these protestors? How did they mobilise so fast? What do they want and how will they achieve it?

Out of touch: Why an increase in politicians’ allowances triggered mass protests

Analysis, Policies, Politics

So, what do these protests say about current attitudes towards politicians, their work and their lifestyles in Indonesia? Following on from the recent One Piece flag phenomenon, the critiques that have unfolded reflect much deeper issues regarding Indonesians perceptions of politicians. Not only are they seen as out of touch with the concerns of everyday people but also the decisions they make about government spending are made without transparency and accountability.

Talking Indonesia: a growing protest movement

Talking Indonesia

On 28 March 2025, in downtime Jakarta across from the Sarinah department store, an unlikely group of protesters gathered holding signs and making speeches. The crowd largely consisted of middleclass women of various ages, gathered under the name ‘Suara Ibu Indonesia’ (Voices of Indonesian Mothers). For the organisers, the choice of name and location for their protest was deliberately designed to evoke a moment in Indonesia’s past, now 27 years ago.

Posts with tag: protests