From manufactured chaos to people’s real grievances

The narrative of manufactured chaos in the state conceals an underlying truth: the public is experiencing economic strain and mounting grievances. Amidst widespread layoffs and a growing tax burden, ordinary citizens are rising up, demanding economic fairness, accountability and genuine justice. Digital platforms have been inundated with narratives portraying mass mobilization as coordinated chaos, obscuring the reality on the ground.

Public unrest is fueled by tangible, everyday issues such as job losses and an aggressive tax net. Political elites lack accountability, with taxpayer money disbursed with little transparency despite financing up to 83 percent of the national budget.

In August 2025, peaceful nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs took place, led by students and civil society activists. However, the protests turned tragic when Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, was struck and killed by a police vehicle. This incident sparked chaotic unrest and looting of lawmakers' residences and the former finance minister's home. An inquiry by the Civil Society Coalition revealed two dynamics: peaceful rallies and targeted looting by outsiders.

Despite demands for accountability, President Prabowo Subianto has refused to establish an independent probe into these events. Civil society organized their push around the 17+8 People's Demands, a reform roadmap with 17 immediate measures due by September 5, 2025, and eight structural goals for August 31, 2026. Immediate demands include rolling back predatory policies, halting military involvement in civilian roles, dropping protest charges, freezing legislative salary increases, securing living wages, and stopping mass layoffs.

They also call for the prosecution of abusive officers and an impartial investigation into the fatal crackdown. The longer-term platform aims to overhaul political parties and legislative oversight, return troops to barracks, pass an asset forfeiture bill, establish equitable tax systems, and protect indigenous lands from unchecked resource extraction.

However, nearly a year later, the political establishment has largely ignored these calls. The government's sole substantive gesture is a task force for police reform acceleration, which has not significantly altered institutional inertia.