The Destruction of Democracy and The Deprivation of Young Generation

Indonesia has been led through a democratic republic ever since, although in 1957-1998 it was an authoritarian republic during Soekarno's and Soeharto's era of independence. As Indonesia slowly gains its ability to be a democratic republic, the policy and governance holds a strong stand point in the role of security of Indonesia's people due to its ability on managing and controlling the country's development including economy, social structure, and overall well being. So is Indonesia's policy and governance secure enough to lead the nation and the upcoming generation? Or must one go through a tragedy to gain back its democracy?

The tagline of #KaburAjaDulu has been an ongoing trend ever since late 2024 to mid 2025 due to the dissatisfaction towards President Prabowo Subianto's leadership. #KaburAjaDulu went viral after the final administration of RUU TNI in which it extends the military officers in civilian posts, expansion of the TNI's duties and the extension of TNI's retirement age. The updates from the UU TNI's original law enraged the people with anger as for them it significantly introduce the coming back of Dwi-Fungsi or the dual function of military into the civil services. This becomes a huge matter due to the history of the practical authoritarianism and the killing of many human rights during Orde Baru in which Dwi-Fungsi was performed.

One of the most crucial point of why this tagline went viral was because Indonesia's inability to provide a bare minimum of proper life quality. Including the ability to find a proper scholarship, job opportunities, and experience in living life. Papua's lack of formal education is one of many examples that shows the life crisis in Indonesia. Some of the key highlights are the closing of over 40 schools due to the war of TNI and TPNPB-OB, the absence of proper infrastructure such as basic electricity or proper library, the poor sanitation and remote areas of education. This promotes the idea of neglected young generation that will be the future of Indonesia.

Both controversy and problem motivates the deprivation of human rights and potential of young generation. Moreover, it becomes a solid evidence on encouraging the tagline #KaburAjaDulu. Quoting the statement from the Chairperson of National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, he mentioned that even moving abroad does not promise the ability of living as a first class citizen. Even through this fact-checked speech, the young adults in Indonesia still gamble on the probability of moving abroad proves that they demand to have the quality of life they deserve with or without the title of first class citizen. Through data, it was also proven that the same job abroad compared to Indonesia paid differently with a wide gap of appreciation. A butler or personal driver in Sri Lanka averagely pays around 8.6 million rupiah while in Indonesia it averagely pays around 2.5 million rupiah.

The uncertainty this country provides shows the deficiency of basic human rights young generation deserves. This becomes a step back from the battles of Indonesia's ancestors on achieving a democratic country because the war is now against our own policy and governance and not colonizers. From the legalization of RUU TNI to the speech of a well-experienced politician, it evokes the idea of living as it is and not stepping forward; throwing away the young and fully potential generation.

Now the question is do we stop here? Or do we choose to move forward despite the betrayal from our homeland?

Bibliography:

Januar, Iwan. Kabur Aja Dulu dan Second-Class Citizen. www.iwanjanuar.com/kabur-aja-dulu-dan-second-class-citizen/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kompas.com. "Potret Pendidikan di Pedalaman Papua, Sekolah Sempat Tutup, Siswa Belajar di Alam Terbuka." Kompas, https://regional.kompas.com/read/2024/11/10/14000081/potret-pendidikan-di-pedalaman-papua-sekolah-sempat-tutup-siswa-belajar-di. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kompas.com. "Tren #KaburAjaDulu, Apa yang Sebenarnya Terjadi?" Kompas, 19 Feb. 2025, https://amp.kompas.com/tren/read/2025/02/19/050000765/tren-kaburajadulu-apa-yang-sebenarnya-terjadi-. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

"Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://id.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhut_Binsar_Pandjaitan. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.