Rising living costs, low wages, tax increase, corruption, gender inequality, parliamentary pay raises, police violence and impunity, human rights violation, military encroachment of civilian government, and public distrust in institutions
Motive
To unify public grievances into 17 immediate and 8 long-term reform demands
Organized by
Indonesian pro-democracy activists, student groups, labor unions, and social media influencers.
Outcome
25 total demands (17 short-term, 8 long-term) formally presented to the government
17+8 Demands (Indonesian:17+8 Tuntutan Rakyat,lit. '17+8 Demands from the People',[1] abbreviated17+8) is a political slogan and protest platform formulated by Indonesian pro-democracy activists during the nationwideAugust 2025 protests. The demands consist of a set of seventeen short-term measures to be implemented within one week, and eight long-term reforms to be achieved within one year. The campaign emerged as a unifying framework for grievances voiced during protests against parliamentary pay raises, rising living costs, police brutality, and public distrust in political institutions.
In late August 2025 Indonesia saw widespread protests (centered on Jakarta and other cities) against issues like a proposed pay raise for legislators, rising living costs and mass layoffs, and heavy-handed police action. The first wave of nationwide protests on 25 August 2025 began chiefly as a demonstration against the perceived "fantastic" perks of Indonesian parliamentarians. Though this effort had no set-in-stone demands, the protesters' demands varied in extremity.[2]
In Jakarta thousands of students, workers and activists massed at theMPR/DPR complex demanding an end to exorbitant lawmaker pay and allowances. The immediate, high-profile demand was the cancellation of a newRp 50 million (US$3,000) monthly housing allowance for each MP.[3] Protestors also demanded the removal of policies that benefit conglomerates and themilitary.[4] Protesters also called for full transparency of MPs’ salaries and budgets, and the reversal of any planned pay raises. Some of the demands conveyed included asking for the parliament to bedissolved, asking for the arrest of Minister of CultureFadli Zon in connection with his denial of the1998 mass rape tragedy.[5] A student press statement (from the groupAliansi Rakyat Bergerak) explicitly linked these grievances to nine core demands, including scrapping the housing allowance program, enacting a pending Asset Confiscation law, and halting a governmenthistorical revisionism project heeded by Fadli Zon.[6] Some fringe demands were also popular in social media, which focus on the complete dissolution of theRed and White Cabinet, the dissolution of the DPR through special presidential decree, the Resignation ofPrabowo Subianto as president, the indictment ofGibran Rakabuming Raka as Vice President, and the investigation of theJokowi family for any suspected corruption.[2][7][8]
The idea for the complete disbandment of the DPR was highly popular amongnetizens and protestors.[9] However, the idea for complete disbandment cast some with doubt. A commentary onTrias Politica observed that calls to dissolve the DPR, though radical as symbols of discontent, could lead to dangerous institutional consequences. If such a dissolution were acted upon, it could halt legislative functions, disrupt governance, and undermine budget processes, potentially destabilizing the broader democratic system of Indonesia.[10] ABeritaSatu article noted that such a move is virtually impossible under the currentconstitutional framework.[11] Remarking on the impossibility,Ahmad Sahroni publicly called those demanding dissolution as "the world’s biggest fools" and referred to them as rebellious youths who "should go to jail".[12][13] This stance sparked deep public anger and led to the sacking of his house and career.[14][15]
On 1 September, in an attempt to create a unified and cohesive demand amidst continuing protests, a number of social media personalities published the 17+8 demands (named in tribute toIndonesian independence day,17 August), which listed 25 demands that were directed at various government institutions.[17] The demands were a summary of 211 different demands from civil organizations as well as statements from other academic and labor unions, and was compiled by social media influencers Salsa Erwina Hutagalung,Fathia Izzati, Abigail Limuria, Andovi da Lopez, Andhyta Firselly Utami, and Jerome Polin.[18][19] By 7 September, following criticisms that the demands lacked consultation with wider civil society, several activists and academics shared on their social media platforms that the 17+8 demands were compiled in consultation with limited individuals and organizations due to the complex circumstances leading up to it.[20][21][22]
By 4 September, the proponents of the 17+8 demands held protests in front of the MPR/DPR Building, reading the full demands and issued an ultimatum to fulfill them.[23] However, at the sametime, a demonstration mass from the All-Indonesian Student Executive Body (BEM SI) conveyed 13 different demands.[24] Meanwhile, another large mass of protesters fromAlliance of Labor Movements Together with the People (GEBRAK); a temporary alliance of many labor movements in Jakarta, also held a mass protest in the area of the Arjuna Wijaya Statue, Central Jakarta voicing their 5 key demands.[25]
Inspired by the pink hijab worn by a mother participating in the August 28 protest in Jakarta. The color also conveys the values of gentleness and feminism represented by women and mothers.
Hero Green
Taken from the signature green of Indonesia’s online motorcycle taxi drivers’ uniforms, as a tribute to Affan Kurniawan and Rusdamdiansyah.
Across social media, many users adopted profile pictures featuring a blend of Brave Pink and Hero Green, a trend popularly referred to as Brave Pink Hero Green.[27]
The 25 demands were divided into 17 short-term demands subject to be fulfilled by 5 September 2025 and eight long-term demands subject to be fulfilled on 31 August 2026. The short-term goals demands immediate action from the President, House of Representatives, political parties, police, armed forces, and economic ministries, including withdrawing the military from civilian roles, repealing of theArmed Forces Act 2025 revision (the enactment of which triggered a wave of protests in March 2025), releasing detained protesters, suspending House of Representatives benefits, and ensuring fair labor conditions. The long-term demands focused on broader structural reforms, such as auditing and reforming the House of Representatives, revising tax and anti-corruption laws, decentralizing police functions, removing the military from civil functions, and strengthening human rights institutions.[28][17][29] The points of 17+8 demand includes:
Pull the Armed Forces out of the civil law enforcement and ensure no criminalization of protesters
Create an independent investigation commission on the cases of Affan Kurniawan, Umar Amarudin, and other victims of police brutality during the 28-30 August protest with clear mandate and transparency
To the People's Representative Council
Freeze the pay raise and perks to the representatives and cancelation of new facilities (including pensions)
Transparency of publication of funds
Demand the Honorary Body of the People's Representatives Council to probe into scandalous representatives
To the Chairperson of Political Parties
Sacking and sanction to unethical cadres in the People's Representatives Council that were responsible for the unrest
Announce the commitment of political parties to side with the people during crisis
Involve every cadres for public dialogue with students and civil organizations
To the Police Forces
Free all detained protesters
End to police brutality and adherence to standard operating procedure on demonstration
Arrest and bring all officers and commanders who were involved in human rights violations to justice
To the Armed Forces
Return to barracks and cease the involvement in civil law enforcement
Uphold internal discipline to prevent armed forces meddling with police affairs
Public commitment of armed forces not to enter civilian space during democratic crises
To the Ministers in the economic sector
Ensure reasonable wages to every workforces nationwide
Take emergency measures to prevent mass layoffs and protect every contract laborers
Conduct independent audits and have the results publicized to the people. Increase the standards of preconditions to qualify as a member of parliament (i.e. no prior corruption cases) and standardize a KPI for evaluating every member. Remove any special privileges: Life pensions, special transportation and escorts, and taxes covered by the State Budget.
Political parties reform and strengthen the executive watch
Political parties must publish their first financial statements within this year, and DPR must ensure that the Opposition must function as it was supposed to.
Draft fairer tax reform plan
Reconsider the balance of transferring the State Budget from the central government to local governments. Repeal plans to increase taxes that may burden the people and draft a plan for a fairer tax reform.
Pass and uphold the Asset Seizure Draft Bill
House of Representatives must pass the Asset Seizure Draft Bill within this year to demonstrate serious commitments to fight corruption in conjunction with strengthening theCorruption Eradication Commission and the Corruption Eradication Act
Leadership and systemic reform to the police forces to achieve more professional and humanist policing
DPR must reform the Police Act. The police must decentralize their functions: public enforcement, security, traffic control within 12 months for starters.
Return the armed forces to the barracks without exception
The government must revoke the mandate bestowed to the Indonesian National Armed Forces in civilian projects such as in large scale farming (food estate) within this year, and DPR must start to revise the Armed Forces Act
DPR must revise the National Commission of Human Rights Act to broaden their responsibilities on freedom of speech. President must empower Ombudsman and Kompolnas
Review policies from the economic and labor sectors
Seriously review national strategic projects (PSN) and economic priorities by protecting the rights of indigenous people and the environment. Reevaluate theOmnibus Law on Job Creation that burdens the people especially workers, and audit the governance ofDanantara and state owned enterprises.
Pull the Armed Forces out of the civil law enforcement and ensure no criminalization of protesters
Head of Armed Forces Information Headquarters Freddy Ardianzah states that the presence of theIndonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is a support per request by theIndonesian National Police (Polri) for national security and not to take over Polri's duties. He emphasized that the TNI was working according to regulations, coordinating with relevant parties, and would gradually withdraw to their barracks once the situation returned to normal.
Create an independent investigation commission on the cases of Affan Kurniawan, Umar Amarudin, and other victims of police brutality during the 28-30 August protest with clear mandate and transparency
No action yet to be made
3
Freeze the pay raise and perks to the representatives and cancelation of new facilities (including pensions)
August 31, 2025 – Prabowo and various political parties agreed to eliminate the House of Representatives (DPR) allowance and a moratorium on working visits.
September 5, 2025 – The salary, which initially drew criticism atRp 104 million per month, has now been reduced toRp 65.5 million. This decision was agreed upon by the eight faction heads at a DPR leadership consultation meeting on September 4, 2025.
Demand the Honorary Body of the People's Representatives Council to probe into scandalous representatives
The House of Representatives leadership has asked the Council's Ethics Council to investigate legislative members who were suspended by the party because their statements were deemed offensive to the public.
Involve every cadres for public dialogue with students and civil organizations
Perindo, PKS, PKB, PAN, and Demokrat announced that they will involve their cadres in public discussions. PresidentPrabowo Subianto requested that the House of Representatives to open public dialogues with the people.
End to police brutality and adherence to standard operating procedure on demonstration
No action yet to be made
11
Arrest and bring all officers and commanders who were involved in human rights violations to justice
12
Return to barracks and cease the involvement in civil law enforcement
13
Uphold internal discipline to prevent armed forces meddling with police affairs
14
Public commitment of armed forces not to enter civilian space during democratic crises
Deputy Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander GeneralTandyo Budi Revita dismissed suggestions that his military would take over security or declare martial law following the demonstrations that erupted over the past few days. TNI Information Center Chief Freddy Ardianzah stated that they would be gradually withdrawn to their barracks once the situation returns to normal.
Ensure reasonable wages to every workforces nationwide
Thousands of workers demonstrated at the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR/MPR) building, demanding a 10% increase in the 2026 minimum wage, the elimination of outsourcing, and the establishment of a Layoff Task Force. Minister of Manpower Yassierli responded that the minimum wage is determined in accordance with the National Tripartite Workforce Forum (LKS Tripnas) mechanism.
Take emergency measures to prevent mass layoffs and protect every contract laborers
President Prabowo Subianto announced the formation of the National Labor Welfare Council (DKBN) after meeting with several labor union organizations at the Palace on September 1. According to KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea, the DKBN will form a Layoff Prevention Task Force.
The House of Representatives (DPR) leadership stated its readiness to follow up on the demands of the 17+8 Movement, including institutional reform, at a meeting in Senayan on September 3, 2025. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Parliamentary Center (IPC) urged the DPR to form an independent team to evaluate the salary and allowance standards for council members. TheConstitutional Court (MK) was asked to make a bachelor's degree the minimum education requirement for presidential and legislative candidates, including district heads. SpeakerPuan Maharani will directly lead DPR reforms to meet the people's demands.
Political parties reform and strengthen the executive watch
No action yet to be made
17+3
Draft fairer tax reform plan
Prabowo met with labor unions on September 1, 2025, to discuss the Employment Bill, the Asset Confiscation Bill, and tax reform. The following day,Sri Mulyani confirmed there would be no increases nor new taxes in 2026, despite the 9.8 percent increase in the draft state budget revenue target toRp 3,147.7 trillion (Rp 3.15 quadrillion).
PresidentPrabowo Subianto reacted to the whole list, stating that some of the demands made sense while other demands are still normative and can be argued with. He hopes to have a good discussion on some of the "normative" demands in order to execute the best appropriate action.[62] Prior to the president's comment, his special advisorWiranto on September 4 said that Prabowo can fulfill most of the demands, but not all as Wiranto commented that it will be "troublesome" to fulfill it all at once.[63]
Newly appointedMinister of FinancePurbaya Yudhi Sadewa responded to the 17+8 demands after his swearing in, stating that the 17+8 demands are made from a minority of people that had not enough in their lives and states that the only solution is to create a more rapid economic growth..[64]
The leadership of theHouse of Representatives (DPR) answered the 17+8 demands by enacting several policies, which are cancelling the allowance of housing for members and foreign working visit moratoriums except for official businesses, evaluating other allowances, ending the pay for non-active members, coordinating with the respective parties on their suspended members and to strengthen transparency.[65]
^Kurniawan Fadillah (4 September 2025)."BEM SI Demo di DPR, Usung 13 Tuntutan Selamatkan Indonesia" [Student Executive Board (BEM SI) Protests at the House of Representatives, Proposing 13 Demands to Save Indonesia].CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved2025-09-04.
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