Published on September 4, 2025 on NPA Révolutionaires (website of the New Anticapitalist Party—Revolutionaries in France, translated from French)
In Indonesia, the government has had to ban TikTok live streams. These showed images of clashes between young people and police, attacks on parliament buildings, occupied police stations, and the looted residences of MPs and ministers, illustrating the revolt against the government by tens of thousands of protesters who, as their banners proclaim, hold their own power during the riots.
For several months, a popular uprising has been sweeping the country’s major cities, and fear has shifted to those who usually cause fear. Young students, supported by large segments of the population, are challenging the policies of President Prabowo, who was elected last year. The son-in-law of the dictator Suharto, who was installed in power by the United States from the mid-1960s to 1998 (and responsible for mass killings along with the physical elimination of the Indonesian Communist Party), Prabowo supports a fascist agenda with no hesitation and is stepping up his anti-democratic provocations. Added to this are budget cuts that are provoking strong opposition. Prabowo wants to cut the state budget by 20%… In comparison, French Prime Minister Bayrou would almost seem like defender of public administration and services! The Ministry of Labor has lost 57% of its resources, universities 40%, and schools 20%. At the same time, taxes paid by the poorest have increased, while the state’s sovereign wealth funds are accumulating billions in capital. This was too much, especially since members of parliament have benefited from substantial salary increases. Since August 25, occupations, demonstrations, and riots have multiplied. The crackdown, which has already resulted in several deaths, has so far only served to amplify the movement. More details on the issues at stake in the ongoing protests are available on the NPA-R website.
September 2, 2025, Chris Miclos
