If these demonstrations are not properly managed, the situation could spiral out of control. While not all demonstrators are responsible for damaging public property, it’s important to recognize the risk of such actions escalating—especially when provoked by certain individuals or groups with unclear agendas.
Please understand this clearly before history repeats itself: when the system is what truly needs fixing, the anger often ends up being misdirected—towards the homes and lives of innocent civilians. We all know how high poverty rates are in Indonesia. What happens when this anger begins to spill into residential areas under the false assumption that someone’s home belongs to a government official—when in fact it doesn't?
Many citizens—especially those who have never had access to proper education in ethics and civic awareness—may not understand the deeper political context. All they understand is the need to survive, to find a single plate of food to feed their families. That is the brutal reality of poverty.
Let us not allow these conditions to become fertile ground for propaganda that pits people against one another. We must never return to a time when homes of Indonesian citizens of Chinese descent were burned based on hatred and misinformation. History must not be repeated.
We need to reflect: Who truly benefits from all this chaos? Who are we actually fighting? It is not easy to protest in a country plagued by elite corruption and political mafias. Still, we must be careful not to let our actions be hijacked by those who seek only destruction.
I urge everyone to carefully note which public officials choose to leave the country during such critical times. They must be held accountable and have their assets thoroughly investigated.
Generalizing—labeling an entire group as corrupt, as the enemy, or as the problem—is a double-edged sword. It may feel righteous in the moment, but it risks turning the oppressed against each other, while the true architects of injustice remain untouched.
On Public Figures and the Power of Influence
Following the calls of some influencers to take to the streets, without considering the presence of provocateurs among demonstrators, is simply irresponsible—especially in a country where poverty remains rampant.
Please think of the broader consequences. If these movements turn chaotic and violence spreads to residential areas, it is the ordinary people—those we claim to stand for—who will suffer most. Some may be falsely targeted, simply because their homes are mistaken for those of the elite. That is not justice. That is tragedy.
Influencers and public figures must understand the weight of their words. Encouraging mass action is not just an act of bravery—it must come with moral responsibility. We must not play with fire when the people we claim to represent are the ones most likely to be burned.
Final Thought:
This is not a message of silence, nor a call to inaction. This is a reminder: resistance must be guided by conscience and wisdom, not blind anger. Let us be brave—but also wise. Let us be loud—but never cruel. Let us remember who we fight for—and not lose them along the way.