On a bustling Wednesday in Jakarta, hundreds of women dressed in pink marched to parliament, armed with broomsticks. Their mission? To protest against police abuses and extravagant government spending. This isn’t just a one-time event; protests have been unfolding across Indonesia for weeks, driven by rising living costs and the lavish benefits enjoyed by lawmakers.
The situation grew tense when a young motorcycle taxi driver named Affan Kurniawan was killed by a police vehicle, igniting even more anger among protesters. President Prabowo Subianto responded by canceling a trip to Beijing, where he was set to attend a major military parade. However, photos of him posing with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin some days later raised eyebrows.
Before his trip to China, President Prabowo had announced plans to cut some benefits for lawmakers, aligning with one of the protesters’ key demands. During the rally, members of the Indonesian Women’s Alliance (IWA) waved signs calling for police reform. Holding broomsticks, they symbolized their wish to “sweep away” state corruption and police repression. Mutiara Ika, a protester, emphasized, “Protests are not crimes; they are our democratic rights.”
The IWA is a coalition made up of around 90 women’s organizations and other civil society groups, including labor unions and human rights advocates. Historically, women have played vital roles in Indonesian protests, notably against Suharto’s regime leading to the reforms of 1998.
The protest colors—pink for bravery and green in memory of Affan—have sparked social media trends. Online, supporters are dubbing these colors “hero green” and “brave pink,” transforming their profile pictures to show solidarity.
The United Nations’ human rights office has called for “prompt, thorough, and transparent investigations” into the protests, highlighting growing unrest. Amnesty International has also urged immediate action to meet demonstrators’ demands, especially since recent protests have resulted in at least 10 fatalities, with over 1,000 people treated for injuries.
Anis Hidayah, head of the National Human Rights Commission, noted the worrying nature of state violence that has marred the protests. He stated that limited dialogue avenues lead to such severe reactions from the public.
In response, President Prabowo announced some reductions in perks for politicians, which the protesters welcomed. Yet, many believe these actions are merely symbolic. Herianto, a former student union leader, remarked that the discontent stretches far beyond perks; it’s about inequality and governance issues.
People are calling for genuine reforms that address vital areas like agriculture, education, and economic fairness. The ultimate aim is to foster a government that’s transparent, accountable, and focused on the needs of its citizens.
As protests continue to gain momentum, it’s clear that the demand for real change is strong. The voices of the people are being heard, and they are not backing down.
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