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December 19, 2024 | 10:36 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Thursday, December 19, 2024, a number of young people across various groups expressed their opposition to the government's planned 12% VAT increase through demonstrations and online petitions. They view this regulation, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, as a burden on the people.
Hundreds of demonstrators, including students, K-pop fans or K-popers, and others, converged on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta for a unified protest. According to Antara news agency, the demonstrators assembled at Taman Aspirasi near the Plaza Barat Laut Monumen Nasional (Monas) before marching towards the State Secretariat Office.
The protestors carried various placards expressing their discontent. Some slogans read, "VAT increase translates to higher prices, higher expenses, and insufficient salaries," and "Gen Z Union rejects the 12% VAT increase!" Notably, some demonstrators even held lightsticks, commonly associated with K-pop fan culture.
The protestors aimed to submit a petition directly opposing the VAT hike. However, police presence prevented them from entering the State Secretariat Office.
Ikrar W, a 25-year-old protester from Semarang, voiced his concerns. “I do not agree with this 12% increase. The 11% is already suffocating. We are further repressed,” Ikrar said, hoping for a complete reversal or a reduction to 10%.
He assessed that any hike would translate to price increases, making everything more expensive.
Another protestor, Sekar Ayu, a 20-year-old from Bekasi, explained her participation for the sake of herself and fellow K-pop fans. “I'm here to ensure concert ticket prices don't skyrocket. They're already at 4 million rupiah. Imagine if they increase further!” she lamented.
To maintain order during the demonstration at the State Palace, police deployed a combined force of 820 personnel. This joint operation involved officers from the Jakarta Metro Police, Central Jakarta Metro Police, Indonesian Military (TNI), the Jakarta Regional Government, and other relevant agencies. Notably, the demonstration continued despite President Prabowo's visit to Egypt.
The petition argues that the VAT hike will exacerbate existing economic difficulties. They highlight unemployment figures of around 4.91 million and the prevalence of informal employment at 57.94%, according to Statistics Indonesia in August 2024. Citing stagnant wages hovering around the minimum wage, the petition argues that this policy will further weaken purchasing power, already declining since May 2024.
The petition was initiated by Bareng Warga. They urge the government to reconsider the VAT increase stated in the HPP Law. The petition emphasizes the need to address these issues "before societal wounds worsen and online loan defaults become widespread."
Andry Triyanto Tjitra contributed to the writing of this article.
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