A group of students under the banner of Aliansi Bali Tidak Diam (Unsilenced Alliance of Bali) staged a protest at the Bali Provincial Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) building on Monday, 17 February 2025.
The demonstration, part of the nationwide “Indonesia Gelap” movement—which translates to, “Dark Indonesia”— voiced strong opposition to the budget cuts in the education sector under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Protest and Demands
Arriving at the DPRD Bali building, demonstrators took turns delivering speeches at the gate before proceeding to the Wantilan hall for a discussion with lawmakers.
The students submitted their list of demands before dispersing. Among their key demands were:
Revocation of presidential and ministerial directives: The students called on the government to rescind Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025 and the Ministry of Finance Circular No. S-37/MK.02/2025, which they believe undermine education funding.
The instruction mandates budget efficiency measures across ministries and regional governments, with the Ministry of Finance specifying cuts totaling 306 trillion rupiah ($18.8 billion). While aimed at reducing wasteful spending, critics argue the measures disproportionately impact education, exacerbating existing challenges in the sector.
Payment of overdue lecturer performance allowances: The protesters demanded the government settle unpaid lecturer performance allowances in accordance with the laws governing civil servants and educators.
They argued that the budget cuts imposed by the presidential instruction and finance circular have led to delays in disbursing these allowances, affecting the livelihoods of lecturers and the quality of higher education.
Rejection of university involvement in mining permits: They opposed any amendments to the Mining Law (UU Minerba) that would allow universities to handle mining licenses.
Protesters linked this issue to broader concerns about government priorities, arguing that while education funding is being slashed under budget efficiency measures, policies enabling universities to engage in mining reflect misplaced priorities that divert academic institutions from their educational mission.
Equal access to higher education: The movement called on President Prabowo to ensure equitable access to higher education across Indonesia to uphold the constitutional goal of national intellectual advancement.
Nationwide Context
The “Indonesia Gelap” protest is part of a larger wave of student-led demonstrations across the country, coordinated by the Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI).
The movement, which runs from 17 to 19 February, aims to hold the government accountable for budget efficiency policies that protesters argue threaten public education.
According to BEM SI, the spending cuts violate the 1945 Constitution’s mandate to provide quality and accessible education for all Indonesians.
Protesters have also criticized broader governance issues, including mass layoffs triggered by budget efficiencies, revisions to laws on mining and security forces, and concerns over democratic backsliding.
Rejecting Free Lunch Offers
During the protest in Bali, DPRD Bali’s acting secretary, I Gusti Ngurah Wiryanata, attempted to offer the students free meal packages, stating that it was simply lunchtime and not a bribe. The students, however, firmly rejected the offer, marching out of the premises while chanting protest slogans.
“We are here to voice our demands, not to accept free meals,” said I Ketut Indra Adiyasa, Vice President of the Udayana University Student Executive Board (BEM). “Our presence is about making sure our voices are heard and our demands are addressed.”
The unclaimed meal packages were later distributed to police officers and pecalang, traditional Balinese security personnel, who had been assigned to monitor the protest.
Response from Authorities
DPRD Bali Chairman Dewa Made Mahadnya, also known as Dewa Jack, confirmed that the students’ demands had been formally received and would be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further consideration.
“We have read their demands, and we will send them to the Ministry of Home Affairs because these students are part of the Bali community, and their concerns matter,” he stated.
The “Indonesia Gelap” movement is expected to continue in other cities over the next two days, with students nationwide urging the government to reassess its budget policies and ensure that education remains a national priority.
