From Pati To Jakarta: Boni Hargens Calls Mass Actions Can Be 'Java Spring'

JAKARTA Senior political analyst, Boni Hargens, reminded the government to be aware of the potential for a massive wave of action in Indonesia which he termed Java Spring in response to the rampant colossal demonstrations in a number of cities in recent weeks.

According to Boni, the mass action was not just an outburst of temporary anger, but rather a historical determination of the people to remind their representatives in parliament that true power belongs to the people. He emphasized that the people's representatives should be humble and in line with the living conditions of the people who have chosen them.

"Since the incident against tax increase in Pati, Central Java, there has actually been the potential for a large wave of action that can produce a colossal movement that we can call Java Spring," said Boni in a press release received, Sunday, August 31.

Boni explained that the term refers to the Arab Spring in the Middle East in 2010. According to him, the people's movement in Pati has a symbolic meaning, considering that the area has a long history of resistance to the Dutch colonial regime. He considered that the actions that had become increasingly massive and viral since the Pati incident should be a serious concern for the state.

"With a pattern of viral, massive, unstoppable movement, all relevant state institutions are advised to carry out in-depth evaluation and analysis and immediately formulate effective early prevention measures. It is time for public policies to be based on accurate and objective intelligence," he said.

On that occasion, Boni also appreciated President Prabowo Subianto's statement emphasizing the importance of public officials being humble and making self-corrections. He considered the message to be in line with the spirit of the people who demanded change and improvement.

"The President's statement is a form of deep moral reflection. I also remember the angry expression of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka when he saw DPR members dancing happily with the increase in allowances some time ago," he added.

Boni emphasized that today's people's movement was not a temporary angry movement, but an explosion from the accumulated anxiety that had accumulated for a long time. Therefore, he asked the government to conduct a thorough evaluation of all sectors, both legislature, judiciary, and executive.

He also reminded that there is a threat of infiltration from a group of illegal passengers that has the potential to clash with the authorities. "Strengthen efforts have the potential to complicate the situation and bring in more complex disasters and harm the interests of society, nation and state," he concluded.