Demonstran 3

 After returning from the village, Nadya began to take her father’s advice more seriously. Arif, who had devoted himself to education in rural areas, understood the importance of having academics and educators who fought within the urban system. For Arif, change could not only be achieved from the margins but also from within the institutions themselves.

“You can be more useful if you stay in the city, Nadya. You could become a teaching assistant, continue your master’s degree, and one day, be a permanent lecturer. That way, you can educate more people and bring change within the system,” said Arif as they talked in Nadya’s rented house in Malang.

Nadya understood what her father meant. Devotion was not only about going to villages or joining street protests. There were many ways to fight for one’s ideals, including through academia. At her campus, Malang State University, she began to take part in more academic activities—assisting professors in research and volunteering as a teaching assistant for several courses.

Sidra, who was now a lecturer at the same university, also offered encouragement. “If you want to change something, get into the system and change it from within. Education is one of the most powerful tools of struggle,” she said during a seminar.

With renewed determination, Nadya finally applied for a master’s program at her university. She realized that becoming an educator didn’t mean abandoning the spirit of struggle. In fact, through education, she could nurture a generation that was more critical and socially aware.

By the end of the semester, Nadya began to feel a shift within herself. She no longer viewed activism solely through street protests but also through education and the influence she could have on other students. Now, she looked toward the future with the conviction that she could continue her father’s legacy in her own way.

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Nadya became increasingly active in student movements. After her conversation with her father, Arif, and gaining perspective on cross-generational activism, she became more certain that demonstrations were not merely about taking to the streets—they were a call for change.

At Malang State University, waves of student protests grew larger. Issues such as rising food prices, government policies that hurt the poor, and corruption scandals that were becoming more blatant fueled student anger. Nadya and her friends followed these developments through social media, online discussion groups, and campus meetings.

A week after a large demonstration in front of the Malang Regional Parliament Building, a call arose from student alliances across Indonesia to hold a nationwide protest. Sidra, now a lecturer and a former 1998 activist, often shared insights on effective strategies for student movements. Nadya and her group felt that this movement needed thorough preparation to avoid provocation. They began strategizing—coordinating the masses, clarifying their demands, and anticipating all possible outcomes.

Digital posters spread through social media; independent YouTube channels began discussing the issues in depth, while WhatsApp and Telegram groups became the coordination hubs for the movement.

Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. Students from various faculties gathered in front of the campus. Speech after speech echoed with passion, reminiscent of past demonstrations that had changed the nation’s history. Nadya stood in the crowd, feeling the surge of energy. She realized that what they were fighting for now was a continuation of what her father’s generation had fought for back in 1998.

As the crowd marched toward the main protest site in front of the parliament building, Nadya and her friends stood at the frontlines. They weren’t just shouting—they brought data and facts to support their demands. They knew that student activism must be rooted in intellect, not mere emotion.

The protest went peacefully, just as planned. There was no repressive action from the authorities, and negotiations with local government representatives went fairly well.

However, Nadya knew that the struggle wouldn’t end with one demonstration. This was just the beginning of a long movement that required consistency and strategy.

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Student demonstrations in various cities grew more intense. Malang, once known for peaceful and orderly protests, was now frequently filled with crowds of students voicing their demands. Nadya and her peers kept moving, following the escalating national tension.

Although there was no repression in Malang, students still felt pressure. Misleading narratives about the movement began to circulate on social media and news sites suspected of having ties to the government. Nadya realized how powerful digital propaganda could be in shaping public opinion.

In various online forums, she saw heated debates between those who supported the student movement and those who dismissed the protests as mere acts of chaos without concrete solutions. Nadya felt the need to strengthen their narrative through more strategic communication.

Sidra, still active in intellectual circles, urged Nadya to amplify the message. “We’re not just here to march, Nadya. We must control the narrative and build public awareness,” Sidra said during a private meeting with students active in independent media.

Meanwhile, Arif watched from afar. He was proud of Nadya’s courage but couldn’t help worrying. In a video call, he warned her, “You must be careful, my child. Struggle is not just about courage but also strategy and calculated moves.”

“I know, Dad,” Nadya replied. “But it’s our generation’s time to speak up. If we stay silent, who else will stand against this injustice?”

As actions intensified, plans emerged to hold a larger protest in Malang as an act of solidarity with students in Jakarta who faced repressive measures. Nadya and her group began planning to ensure the protest would remain peaceful and organized. They wanted to show that intellectual resistance was not limited to the streets—it could also be carried out through public discussions, writing, and a powerful digital campaign.

But challenges arose. Divisions began to appear among the student groups—some wanted to remain peaceful and focused on social demands, while others pushed for more radical actions.

Sidra tried to mediate. “If we lose our direction, our struggle will only become a forgotten footnote in history. We need strategy, not just emotion,” she reminded them.

As the debate heated up, a decision had to be made. The big protest in Malang was near, and Nadya had to decide what role she would take in this struggle.

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Protests across the country continued, including in Malang. Nadya and her friends became more active in organizing well-structured movements. They didn’t just march—they built support through social media, public discussions, and student forums. Technology became their main weapon for spreading information and raising awareness of social and political issues.

In the midst of this fervor, Sidra reminded them, “The student movement must be more than just street protests. We must ensure that real change follows.” She emphasized that the student movement had a long history and must stay rooted in intellectualism, data, and evidence.

From afar, Arif continued watching his daughter’s journey with both pride and concern. During a video call, he said, “Nadya, this struggle is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t act only on emotion—think about long-term impact and strategy.” Nadya nodded, realizing that activism was not only about being loud in the streets but also about building sustainable awareness and change.

A pivotal moment came when students in Malang successfully organized an open dialogue with local officials and academics. It proved that the student movement was not a directionless opposition—it had clear goals: to build a better nation.

Over time, Nadya began to find her own path. She was no longer just an activist in demonstrations; she started writing opinion pieces in national media, speaking at seminars, and building networks with social organizations. She realized that the struggle could take many forms—and she wanted to be part of a broader transformation.

That evening, as the sun set over Malang, Nadya sat on her balcony. In her hands was a book her father once read as a student: “Catatan Seorang Demonstran” (The Diary of a Demonstrator) by Soe Hok Gie. She smiled, understanding now that struggle always repeats itself—only the forms and mediums change.

In the distance, chants of protest still echoed from the corners of campus. The struggle was far from over, and Nadya was ready to keep moving forward.