What Remains After the Anger: A Two-Month Update on the August Protests

Two months have passed since our streets roared. The echoes of the August 2025 protests—led by an unstoppable eruption of students, activists, and workers—still linger in the air. At the time, the nation was united like never before, fueled by a collective fury against economic downfall and the sheer arrogance of politicians cashing in taxpayer money behind the mighty gates of parliament.

We marched for the promises of our independence, the guarantees of our constitution, and the mandate of Reformasi. But now that the smoke has cleared, we have to ask ourselves: What is left for us? Did our demands move the hearts of those in power, or did they only serve to harden them?

The Geography of Impunity

When we look at the scales of justice today, the imbalance is staggering. Consider the case of Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver. He was struck and run over by a police tactical armored vehicle. He didn’t survive.

Despite seven officers being inside that vehicle, not a single one was convicted of a crime. The police ethics board (Kompolnas) decided that "ethical sanctions" were sufficient. The driver was dishonorably discharged without criminal charges, and the passenger-seat officer received a seven-year demotion. The other five? They were ordered to formally apologize and were detained for 20 days. In the eyes of the state, a life taken is merely an ethical hiccup, not a crime.

This culture of impunity extends into the halls of the DPR. At the height of the protests, five members of parliament were suspended by their parties for "unbecoming behavior." Today, the DPR Ethics Committee (MKD) has cleared the path for their return. Most were acquitted and are back to being active members; others served brief, unpaid suspensions of three to six months.

It is a reminder that the MKD is often a tool for reputation restoration rather than accountability. They cannot "fire" a member; only a political party can initiate the removal process (PAW). Since no parties did so, it is clear there was never any intention to truly remove them.

The "Transfer Error" and Bloated Benefits

The financial arrogance that sparked the protests hasn’t vanished; it has simply changed shape. While the controversial Rp54 million housing benefit increase was technically canceled in September due to public outcry, the money seems to have found a new home.

In October, it was revealed that DPR members received Rp756 million for "recess benefits"—exactly Rp54 million more than the budgeted Rp702 million. When questioned, Deputy Speaker Dasco dismissed the excess as a "transfer error," claiming the money was returned. Yet, take-home pay remains inexplicably high, and recess benefits have doubled since May 2025. While the public struggles, the state’s pockets remain suspiciously deep.

The Cost of Dissent

Contrast this leniency for the powerful with the treatment of the people. While politicians return to their desks and officers walk free, nearly 1,000 civilians remain detained. Activists like Delpedro Marhaen (Director of Lokataru) are in custody for "inciting" protests through social media. His home was raided, his books confiscated. Others, like Muzaffar Salim, Syahdan Hussein, and Khariq Anhar, remain behind bars for the "crime" of organizing.

Most harrowing of all are those who are still missing. Muhammad Farhan Hamid and Reno Syahputeradewo were last seen near the Brimob headquarters in Kwitang. Their families are still waiting for answers that the police refuse to provide.

The Long Marathon

As the election nears, we are seeing the "rebranding" begin. Politicians like Ahmad Sahroni, standing in front of his looted house, are now spinning narratives of sympathy, claiming, "I am not corrupt." They are counting on our fatigue. They are counting on us to forget.

We must realize that protest alone is not enough. Despite the "17+8" demands and the tragic loss of at least 10 lives, systemic change has not arrived. This isn't a failure of the people; it is a failure of a state that has forgotten who it serves.

Real change requires a multi-front strategy:

• Street Pressure to maintain urgency.
• Policy Advocacy for concrete alternatives.
• Legal Action to challenge power structures.
• Media & Content Creation to keep the public aware.
• Reformist Actors pushing from inside the system.

We are in a long marathon, not a sprint. While the immediate results are somber, we have gained something invaluable: political literacy. We understand the playing field better than ever before. A good memory is a powerful democratic weapon—do not let tears or time erase what we have learned.

Stay vigilant. Keep pushing for justice.