How did Prabowo handle the protests and how does it impact Indonesia's democracy? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Civil unrest in Indonesia
• President Probowo Subianto's response
• Protests over cost of living, corruption, and lawmakers' perks
• Economic conditions and unemployment
• Government spending and campaign promises
• Indonesia's democratic history and Probowo's past
• Role of social media in protests

Civil Unrest and Government Response:

• Indonesia is experiencing significant civil unrest, described as the worst in decades, leading to at least five deaths.
• President Probowo Subianto canceled his trip to China due to the unrest.
• Probowo warned that some protesters' actions are "leaning towards treason and terrorism" and urged the army to take action.
• Scenes of protests have been widespread across Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta.
• TikTok suspended its live feature in Indonesia for a few days in response to the violence.
• The homes of several politicians have been looted, which President Probowo condemned.

Concessions and Underlying Issues:

• In an effort to ease tensions, President Probowo announced that the People's Representative Council would revoke some privileges, including allowances for members of parliament and a moratorium on official visits abroad.
• The demonstrations are primarily fueled by cost of living issues, with protesters demanding higher wages, lower taxes, and tougher measures to fight corruption.
• The death of a delivery driver run over by a police vehicle, captured in a viral video, has further fueled anger. President Subianto has ordered an investigation.

Expert Analysis (Tom Pepinsky):

• Tom Pepinsky, a professor at Cornell University and a fellow at the Brookings Institution, provides expert analysis on the situation.
• Pepinsky believes that revoking some financial benefits for lawmakers will make a "bit of a difference" but won't solve the long-standing problems Indonesia faces.
• He identifies slowing economic conditions and rising unemployment, especially among younger people, as key underlying concerns.

Government Spending and Campaign Promises:

• Pepinsky notes that President Probowo's signature programs, such as free school lunches for all elementary school students and starting a new sovereign wealth fund, are expensive.
• These programs require reallocating funding from other portions of the budget, leading to unpopular decisions like cutting spending for other programs.
• While the programs remain popular "on paper," there is insufficient political will to pay for them, leading to mass layoffs and rising unemployment.

Probowo's Dilemma and Indonesia's Democracy:

• Pepinsky highlights that Indonesia has a long history of protests and mass mobilization as an electoral democracy for over two decades.
• He points out that Probowo, as a former general, was responsible for violent suppression of protests during the authoritarian period.
• Probowo faces a dilemma: his instincts as a former general are to respond to disorder with force, but he rose to power through a democratic election.

Outlook on the Protests:

• Pepinsky describes the situation as a "waiting game."
• He believes that cutting lawmakers' perks will not solve the underlying problems.
• Images of burning buildings and looting could make the protests unpopular.
• The role of social media, particularly TikTok, in sharing information will be crucial.
• The protests could either slow down or just be getting started.

Conclusion:

The situation in Indonesia is complex, driven by economic anxieties, historical grievances, and political tensions. While the government has made some concessions, the underlying issues of cost of living, unemployment, and corruption remain. President Probowo faces a difficult balancing act between addressing the protesters' demands and maintaining stability, given his background and the country's democratic history. The role of social media will be critical in shaping public opinion and influencing the future of the protests.