Demonstrant 5

 Nadya sat in front of her laptop screen, reading the latest news about the student movement that was facing increasing pressure from various sides. Online discussions were heating up, and some of her activist friends began receiving intimidation from anonymous accounts. The hashtag #ShameOnYou, which had once trended widely on Twitter, was now being flooded with counter-narratives from buzzers trying to sway public opinion — portraying the student movement as nothing more than a political tool of certain elites.

Meanwhile, on her campus, Sidra, a lecturer and former activist, continued to provide critical insights to her students. In a seminar room discussion, she reminded them that history had shown how student movements often faced repression and information distortion.

“Back in 1998,” Sidra said, “the government used print and television media to control public opinion. Now, in the digital era, we face a new challenge — an information war in cyberspace.”

Nadya began to realize that this struggle was more than just taking to the streets. They needed a strong communication strategy to counter the propaganda being spread. Together with her friends, she began designing a digital campaign: creating educational content for social media, sharing factual data, and building networks with independent journalists who still held onto integrity in their reporting.

However, the challenges grew heavier. Some mainstream media outlets began publishing stories that increasingly vilified students, labeling them as rioters and threats to national stability. Nadya felt frustrated, but Arif reminded her over the phone,

 “Victory doesn’t always come quickly. But if you believe in the truth, keep speaking out. Don’t give up.”

Finally, as a massive protest was planned in Jakarta, students from across the country — including Malang — prepared to join. This time, it wasn’t just about physical demonstrations, but also about a large-scale information campaign to counter digital propaganda. Nadya and her team worked day and night to ensure that public opinion would not be entirely controlled by buzzers and biased media.

The student movement was facing its hardest test yet. Would they succeed in defending the truth and fighting for justice? Or would pressure from various forces render their struggle meaningless? The next chapter would determine the fate of everything they had built.

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Mass demonstrations erupted in cities across Indonesia. Students from various universities took to the streets, shouting their demands louder than ever. Jakarta became the epicenter of the protests, but Malang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung were no less crowded. Thousands of students filled the streets, carrying posters, banners, and delivering fiery speeches that echoed through the air.

Amid the sea of protestors, Nadya stood tall, her voice booming through the microphone.

 “This isn’t just about us — it’s about the people whose voices have been silenced!”

Her words ignited cheers from the crowd. The spirit was contagious. Sidra, now acting more as a mentor and observer, stood at the back, watching proudly as a new generation took up the torch of struggle.

But the government did not stand idly by. Security forces were deployed in large numbers. Tear gas was fired into the air, forcing students to scatter. Clashes erupted at several points, yet the students held their ground with the strategies they had prepared. Information flowed rapidly through Telegram groups and Twitter. The hashtag #IndonesiaGelap (Dark Indonesia) trended again, drawing public sympathy nationwide.

On television screens, mainstream media broadcast a different story — portraying the protesters as anarchists, troublemakers, and threats to public order. Nadya and her peers realized more than ever that this battle was being fought not just in the streets, but also in the realm of information.

Arif, watching from his small village on the slopes of Mount Slamet, followed the events through social media live streams. His heart pounded — he remembered being in the same position years ago. He called Nadya, his voice trembling.

“You’ve come this far. Don’t retreat, but stay safe. This fight isn’t just about courage — it’s about long-term strategy.”

That night, a crucial moment unfolded. In front of the Parliament building, a student standing at the front line read the movement’s demands, his voice shaking but resolute:

“We will not be silent until justice is served!”

Thunderous applause erupted. The glow from phone flashlights lit up the night sky — a breathtaking sight of defiance and hope.

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The 13 Demands:

1. Provide free, scientific, and democratic education, and cancel cuts to the education budget.

2. Revoke problematic National Strategic Projects (PSN) and implement genuine agrarian reform. These projects often serve as tools for land grabbing.

3. Reject the revision of the Mining Law (UU Minerba), which suppresses academic and environmental voices.

4. Abolish the military’s dual function — the involvement of the armed forces in civilian sectors fosters repression and hinders democracy.

5. Pass the Bill on Indigenous Peoples to ensure legal protection over their land and culture.

6. Revoke Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025, which threatens essential public interests such as education and healthcare.

7. Fully evaluate the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) to ensure it benefits the people and not political interests.

8. Realize full performance allowances for lecturers and academic staff to improve the quality of higher education.

9. Urge President Prabowo Subianto to issue a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on asset confiscation to fight corruption effectively.

10. Reject revisions to the TNI, Police, and Attorney General laws, which risk strengthening institutional immunity and weakening accountability.

11. Streamline and reform the “Merah Putih Cabinet”, reducing bureaucratic waste and replacing irresponsible officials.

12. Reject the revision of parliamentary rules that may grant excessive powers to the House of Representatives (DPR).

13. Reform the Indonesian National Police (Polri) comprehensively to eliminate repressive culture and enhance professionalism.

These demands, they said, originated from the voice of the people — the same cries once painted on city walls as graffiti reading “Prosecute Mulyono!”

They were furious when the people shouted “Prosecute Mulyono!” but the rulers responded with “Long live Mulyono!”

And to make things worse, the leader mocked his critics publicly, saying “ndasmu!” — Javanese for “your head!”, a phrase used to insult those who dared to question him.

Nadya looked around. This was no longer just resistance — it was the beginning of change. She gripped her banner tightly and looked toward Sidra, who nodded proudly. History was being rewritten, and Nadya knew she was part of a new chapter that future generations would remember.