February 21, 2025 | 04:18 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Protests under the Dark Indonesia banner, which began on February 17, have continued nationwide, voicing dissatisfaction with government policies. As of Friday, February 21, demonstrations have taken place in Jakarta and major cities across Indonesia.
Jakarta
Several civil society coalitions protested at the Horse Statue area in Jakarta on February 21, issuing a red report card on President Prabowo Subianto’s administration and demanding justice for former President Jokowi.
According to Civil Society Coalition spokesperson Tegar Afriansyah, at least 2,500 protesters participated. "Various civil society movements are joining today’s protest, including NGOs, labor unions, students, and even K-pop fans," he said.
Surabaya
Protesters in Surabaya gathered at the East Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building, calling for pro-people policies and the revocation of harmful regulations. The demonstration featured speeches and theatrical performances before transitioning into a dialogue session. "The protest will continue after Friday prayers," said protest liaison Thanthowy Syamsudin.
Yogyakarta
Thousands of students and activists paralyzed parts of Malioboro Street and the Zero Kilometer Area on February 20, protesting what they see as a bleak future under the Prabowo-Gibran administration. At Abu Bakar Ali Parking Square, protesters criticized policies introduced in the first 100 days and condemned Prabowo’s “Ndasmu!” remark toward critics of the Free Nutritious Meal program, calling it an insult to the people’s demands.
Bandung
In Bandung, students protested outside the West Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building, demanding government accountability. "The government makes policies as it pleases. When people protest, the regime does damage control and acts like a hero," Rhido Anwari Aripin, acting chair of BEM Kema at Padjadjaran University, said on February 17.
Solo
On February 17, hundreds of Sebelas Maret University (UNS) students in Solo also protested budget cuts. "We believe that the so-called budget efficiency measures actually harm the people. As a result, there have been mass layoffs, and many government institutions are struggling to operate effectively," said Muhammad Faiz Zuhdi, President of BEM UNS 2025.
Semarang
The Semarang Menggugat alliance held a Dark Indonesia demonstration on Tuesday, February 18. "This is an outpouring of anger, and we expect significant participation. Around 16 organizations are involved, each sending at least 100 people. We estimate 1,600 people will join the protest tomorrow (today)," Kuat Nursiam, president of the Student Council at Semarang State University (Unnes), told the media on Monday.
Bali
The Bali Tidak Diam (Bali Will Not Stay Silent) alliance staged a Dark Indonesia: Education in Crisis protest at the Bali Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) office on February 17. Highlighting five demands related to budget cuts in the education sector, protesters called on the government to reverse all cuts to education funding. The student-led protest resulted in an open dialogue with Bali DPRD Chairman Dewa Made Mahayadnya and other officials.
Samarinda
Hundreds of students protested at the East Kalimantan DPRD building on Monday afternoon, demanding the revocation of Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025, opposing revisions to the Mining Law (UU Minerba), and criticizing the Free Nutritious Meal program. "This instruction must be revoked immediately as it could harm education," said BEM KM Mulawarman University President M. Maulana.
Banjarmasin
Hundreds of students in South Kalimantan staged the Indonesia Gelap protest at the DPRD office, calling for transparency and better allocation of funds for the Free Nutritious Meal program. Other demands included a clearer plan for budget restructuring and a proper allocation plan for the MBG program.
South Sumatra
Students from various universities and student organizations rallied in front of the South Sumatra DPRD building on February 20. Each university representative took turns voicing their demands from a podium set up on the back of a pickup truck. At least nine demands were presented to South Sumatra DPRD Deputy Speaker Ilyas Panji Alam.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Hanaa Septiana, Yuni Rohmawati, Pribadi Wicaksono, Ni Made Sukmasari, Septia Ryanthie, and Hendrik Khoirul Muhid contributed to the writing of this article.
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