Dark Indonesia Demonstration Brings 13 Demands, Asks MBG Program To Be Evaluated

Masses of the Dark Indonesia demonstration carried banners at the Horse Statue, Monas, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta/ Photo: Karisa Aurelia/ VOI

JAKARTA - Thousands of people who are members of the Civil Society Coalition and BEM throughout Indonesia (SI) held a demonstration entitled Dark Indonesia in the Monas Horse Statue area, Central Jakarta, Friday, February 21.

The point of action for Dark Indonesia began with a long march starting from Taman Ismail Marzuki to the State Palace.

This action is a form of resistance to various government policies which are considered to be increasingly far from the principles of social justice, democracy, and people's welfare.

"We highlight various problems that threaten people's rights, ranging from education, agrarianism, to unequal economic and political policies," wrote the statement of the Civil Society Coalition element.

Today's Dark Indonesia action brought 13 demands. This action is a call to all elements of society to continue to oversee the running of the government in order to create social justice for all Indonesian people.

"We call on President Prabowo and his staff to immediately take concrete steps in responding to the various problems we raised in this action," he said.

"If not, then similar actions will continue in various regions throughout Indonesia," he added.

The 13 demands of the Dark Indonesia action are:

1. Impose Free, Scientific, and Democratic Education. Education is the fundamental right of every citizen.

2.Revoke PSN with problems: Realize Agrarian Sejati Reform. The National Strategic Project (PSN) is often a tool for confiscation of people's land. We demand the revocation of PSN which does not side with the people and encourages the implementation of true agrarian reforms.

3. Reject the MINERBA Law. Revision of the Minerba Law is only a means of silencing the regime for campus campuses and academic environments when making critical voices.

4. Remove TNI Multifunctions. Military involvement in the civilian sector has the potential to create repression and hinder democratic life.

5. Enliven the Bill on Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous peoples need clear legal protection for their land and culture.

6. Evaluation of Presidential Instruction No. 01 of 2025. This Presidential Instruction is considered a threat to parts that are actually in the interests of the people, such as education and health.

7. Evaluation of the Total Free Nutrition Eating Program. The free meal program must be evaluated thoroughly so that it is right on target.

8. Realize the Lecturer Performance Allowance Budget and Lecturer Welfare.

9. Desak Prabowo Issues Asset Confiscation Perppu. Corruption is an urgent matter, and this must be addressed immediately through a Perppu to eradicate economic crime and corruption.

10. Reject the Revision of the TNI Law, PolRI, and the Prosecutor's Office. This revision has the potential to strengthen the impunity of the officers as well as the military and weaken supervision of the apparatus.

11. Efficiency and Reshuffle of the Red and White Cabinet. The loss of irresponsible officials must be overcome with the waves of problematic officials.

12. Reject the Revision of DPR Regulations on Order. This revision of the Order is very problematic and can lead to the arbitrariness of the DPR.

13. Police Reform. Police must be reformed thoroughly to eliminate repressive culture and increase professionalism.

"We call on President Prabowo to take concrete steps. If not, then similar actions will continue in various regions throughout Indonesia," he said.