In recent weeks, waves of demonstrations led by students and civil society have voiced a range of demands, from short-term issues such as the deliberation of the asset forfeiture bill to long-term concerns on strengthening democracy and reforming the national economy.
According to experts, these widespread demonstrations should not be viewed merely as spontaneous responses, but rather as the culmination of long-standing social pressures faced by the public.
Since the pandemic, communities have struggled with heavier economic burdens, compounded by policies that often fail to favor the people. Excessive repressive measures by authorities have further escalated public anger, creating a cycle of unrest that is difficult to contain.
“Excessive repression only fuels public anger, because the root cause of today’s discontent is worsening socioeconomic conditions, not simply a single issue,” said Dr. Achmad Munjid, Head of the UGM Center for Security and Peace Studies (PSKP UGM), in the Pojok Bulaksumur discussion titled “Between the Right to Speak and National Stability: Examining Indonesia’s Recent Demonstrations” held on Thursday (Sep. 4) at the UGM Central Office.
Dr. Munjid underlined the widening gap between the people and their representatives in parliament. He emphasized that this disconnect has made public aspirations seem detached from formal political processes.
According to him, the situation is exacerbated by political parties that have yet to undergo meaningful reform since the 1998 reformation, often operating only within elite circles.
Dr. Munjid warned that without public pressure, policies produced by political institutions would likely disregard people’s needs. In this context, he argued that universities and the media hold a major responsibility to ensure critical voices remain heard.
“If power is neither challenged nor effectively checked, it will serve itself, not the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Alfath Bagus Panuntun El Nur Indonesia, lecturer in the Department of Politics and Government at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), observed that recent demonstrations differ from those of a decade ago.
He noted that social media influencers now play a more dominant role in mobilizing the public, replacing the role previously played by student organizations or activists.
He also pointed out that many of the public’s demands have helped frame the movement with clearer direction, even though the government has yet to provide a substantive response.
“What was shown during the peaceful demonstration in Yogyakarta on Monday reflects how society can remain critical and voice opinions with dignity, and this can serve as a role model for the nation,” said Alfath Indonesia.
He further noted that the failure of police reform after the 1998 reformation has left the institution vulnerable to politicization. He highlighted how, over the past decade, the police have often been used as a political instrument rather than fulfilling their role of public protection.
According to him, amid growing economic pressures, the stark contrast between the modest lives of citizens and the privileges of officials has deepened public mistrust.
“The state has failed to protect its people, and public anger has emerged as an accumulation of disappointment over regressive policies,” he remarked.
Professor Faturochman from the Faculty of Psychology (Psychology UGM) emphasized the psychological dimension of young people’s involvement in protests.
He explained that the participation of students and Generation Z stems from accumulated frustration, not merely from trends or fear of being left behind.
Professor Faturochman argued that the youth participation shows a high sensitivity to issues of social justice. Such conditions indicate an urgent need for healthy participation channels so that their collective energy is not reduced to anger alone.
Social pressures faced by this generation, both from economic hardship and declining trust in government, have made street protests an understandable outlet.
“When people are disappointed and see no signs of change, the pressure will inevitably give birth to resistance, and this is a natural reaction in our social life,” said Professor Faturochman.
He further stressed that the relationship between leaders and the people must be built on respect, not just temporary empathy.
He reminded that the public is not a passive object but a national asset that must be valued to sustain trust. He underlined that when society’s potential is neglected, public trust collapses, creating risks for long-term stability.
“What is more fundamental than empathy is respect. The people have enormous potential, and when they are not respected, trust will vanish,” he said.
At the conclusion of the Pojok Bulaksumur, the speakers agreed that the recent demonstrations should not be viewed solely as threats but as reflections of public anxiety that require a serious response from the state.
They emphasized that instant or partial responses will not suffice, as the root causes lie in political structures and institutions that have yet to fully carry out their public mandate.
The speakers underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms, ranging from police reform and political party restructuring to expanding avenues for public participation.
The discussion also reaffirmed the vital role of universities, the media, and civil society in safeguarding critical voices from being marginalized.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Firsto Adi