UNAIR NEWS— The wave of nationwide demonstrations that began on August 25, 2025, has become a turning point in Indonesia’s political climate. Thousands of protesters—including students, labor groups, and grassroots communities—criticized the House of Representatives (DPR RI) for its controversial decision to raise income allowances. What started as rallies outside the parliament soon spread to cities such as Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Makassar, and Medan. Tensions escalated sharply on August 28 after the death of an online motorcycle taxi driver during clashes.
Short-term effectiveness
Prof. H. Kacung Marijan, Drs., M.A., Ph.D., a professor of political science at Universitas Airlangga specializing in Comparative Politics and Public Policy, said the unrest was partly driven by the DPR’s failure to open dialogue with the public. “The two major demonstrations on August 25 and 28 initially targeted parliament, but lawmakers failed to provide a communication channel. That frustration boiled over uncontrollably once casualties were reported,” he said.
Prof. Marijan noted that the lack of dialogue made the largely youth-led crowds more volatile. The situation worsened when police used force, leading to fatalities and sparking wider protests. Even so, he noted that the protests did not directly target the President. “Trust in the President remains relatively high after his visit to the victim’s family to offer condolences. In contrast, the DPR has seen its credibility fall further because of its lack of timely and responsive action,” he explained.
Risk of legitimacy crisis
President Prabowo’s quick visit to the victim’s family set him apart from other political elites. His call for the DPR to revoke the allowance increase also helped ease public anger. A subsequent meeting with party leaders further contained unrest in the short term.
“This was an important act of political communication. The President managed to rally party leaders, and some responded by suspending DPR members. That sent a strong signal to the public,” Prof. Marijan said.
Author: Samudra Luhur
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
