Students conduct “Dark Indonesia” protests when Prabowo Subianto’s spending cuts are educated

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Indonesia’s plan to spend $28 billion a year on offering free meals to primary school students has sparked unlikely opposition as students get angry at the looming spending cuts in higher education.

This week, thousands of students declared their so-called Indonesian gel or “dark Indonesia” and marks the first unanimous resistance to Prabowo Su’s unidentified policy since the former general became president four months ago.

The students opposed Prabowo’s call to cut government spending, including education, to fund its flagship policy, mainly a free catering program, which will reach 82 million people a day when fully implemented.

Cleorisa Cheguevara Riswan, a student at the National University, said the free dining program “is invalid because it sacrifices education” and he attended protests in Jakarta this week. “What the public needs is education and health care. . . We need the proper education to get the right job.”

The frustration of young Indonesians reflects a widespread concern about the country’s economic direction. The middle class has been shrinking over the past six years as the commodity giant has been working to create enough formal sector work.

According to the latest government data, the unemployment rate for Indonesians aged 15-24 was 17.3% last August, higher than the national tax rate of 4.9%. Unemployment rates are also increasing between college graduates and those with vocational college diplomas. More than 44 million Indonesians are between 15 and 24 years old, accounting for about 16% of the population.

Last month, Prabowo ordered a substantial cut to the department’s budget to save RP306.7TN ($19 billion) of catering plans and other policy priorities. Officials have canceled infrastructure projects, canceled scholarships and even reduced air conditioners used in government buildings.

The minister told parliament this month that the budget of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology has been cut by the fourth to RP42.3TN. The budgets for secondary schools and the Ministry of Secondary Education have also been reduced.

Young Indonesians, many of whom support Prabowo in campaigns centered on their grandfather image, are increasingly desperate.

Students call the protests “Dark Indonesia” in the country’s official drama “King Indonesia” and become a developed country by 2045. KaburajaduluOr “just flee”, which has been all the rage in recent weeks as social media users encourage each other to leave immediately in search of better overseas opportunities.

“Young people are disappointed with Prabowo’s policy and socio-economic progress, especially in the areas of job creation, good governance and social justice,” said Singapore iSeas-Yusof visitor Maria Monica Wihardja. Ishaq College and former World Bank economist.

The country’s central bank cut its 2025 growth forecast last month, indicating weaker economic outlook and slow domestic consumption. Nevertheless, Prabowo sticks to the goal of increasing annual growth to 8%, higher than the current 5%.

While Prabowo promotes free dining programs to address child malnutrition, improve educational outcomes and promote local economies, critics question how the government will fund it and whether it is the most effective for the resources already expanded. use.

Wihardja said many young Indonesians are no longer able to find the right job or lack the skills to have a high-paying job. She added that the government could redistribute some funds from free dining programs to education to help students prepare for the workforce.

Government officials have admitted that the “escape” trend is resigning due to lack of opportunities at home, although some question young Indonesians’ patriotism advocated for immigration.

On the streets of Jakarta this week, students waved the signs of reading “RIP Education” and “Indonesia Education Emergency”, calling on Prabowo to reassess budget cuts and free meal plans. In Papua, students are requesting free education and upgrading to school facilities instead of free meals, according to local media reports.

Prabowo has not commented on the protests yet, but government officials say they are studying the students’ demands.

Many young Indonesians vent their depression onlinetransparent Tags, share links to foreign scholarships and jobs. Overseas Indonesians joined the conversation, contributing to finding careers and insights to live abroad.

“The hashtag was born out of disappointment, fear and despair,” said Muhammad Syabil Diadra, 21, who joined the protests in Jakarta this week. “We’re not sure if we’ll have job opportunities.”