September 9, 2025 | 02:42 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, criticizes the new Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's statement on "17+8 People's Demands." According to Isnur, the remark was indicative of public officials' ignorance of the hardships faced by the people.
"(He was) speaking carelessly and lacking knowledge of social movements, unaware of the principles of the republic and democracy," said Isnur via WhatsApp on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Purbaya seems to view the people's aspirations as a minor and insignificant voice, Isnur said, adding that the new minister was "out of touch" with the condition of the Indonesian people.
Purbaya was recently inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto as the Minister of Finance, replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati, on Monday, September 8, 2025. When asked by reporters about the "17+8 People's Demands" movement, he admitted that he has not studied it.
Nevertheless, Purbaya believes that the demands may come from a small portion of the people.
"But basically, that's it. It's just the voice of a small portion of our people. Why? Perhaps some feel disturbed, and their lives are lacking," said Purbaya at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta on Monday.
The "17+8 People's Demands" movement consists of 17 short-term demands and 8 long-term demands. The short-term demands include requesting the government to ensure fair wages for all workers, prevent mass layoffs, and open dialogue to find solutions for minimum wage and outsourcing. The eight long-term demands include asking the government to review economic and labor sector policies. The 17+8 movement emerged amid the escalating mass demonstrations at the end of August 2025.
According to Purbaya, these demands will automatically disappear once he successfully drives 6 to 7 percent economic growth. Because, he said, people will be busy looking for jobs and enjoying good food rather than protesting out on the streets.
But he acknowledged that 8 percent economic growth may not be immediate.
YLBHI believes that controversial comments from Prabowo's cabinet members have occurred more than once. Isnur cited the statement made by Presidential Office Chief Hasan Nasbi, who once suggested "just cook it" when Tempo was terrorized with a pig's head.
Furthermore, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar made a statement that teachers should not seek money like merchants, a claim he later rectified and apologized for.
"It's like there's no quality selection or recruitment, including indicators of understanding democracy, the public, community participation, and how to communicate with the public," said Isnur.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's Stock Index Opens in the Red Zone After Prabowo Replaces Sri Mulyani
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Claims Economy Remains Stable Thanks to Pro-People Elites
35 menit lalu
Prabowo cites several reasons why the Indonesian economy remains stable despite mass demonstrations over the past two weeks.
Prabowo Says There Are Parties Trying to Diminish Public Trust in Government
1 jam lalu
Prabowo responds to the recent unrest and emphasizes the government's commitment to engaging in dialogue with all elements of society.
Nepal Home Minister Resigns After 19 Killed in Gen Z Protests
1 jam lalu
Nepal's Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned late Monday, taking full responsibility for the deadly police crackdown on nationwide protests.
Indonesia's Stock Index Opens in the Red Zone After Prabowo Replaces Sri Mulyani
3 jam lalu
The Stock Exchange Composite Index (IHSG) opened in the red zone today, following the recent Cabinet reshuffle by President Prabowo Subianto.
Sri Mulyani's Controversial Statements Before Being Replaced by Prabowo
4 jam lalu
Indonesia's Ex-Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has become the target of public anger after making several controversial statements. What are they?
Nepal Police Kill Several People at 'Gen Z' Protest
6 jam lalu
Multiple people have died in Nepal after police fired live rounds having been unable to hold back the crowds with tear gas and water cannon.
Sri Mulyani's Replacement as Indonesian Finance Minister Repeatedly Served Under Luhut
6 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appoints Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as the new finance minister, replacing Sri Mulyani in the cabinet reshuffle.
Facts About Prabowo's Cabinet Reshuffle
8 jam lalu
Here are the facts about the recent cabinet reshuffle by Indonesian President Prabowo and the appointment of new ministers in his administration.
New Finance Minister Purbaya Claims Confidence in Improving Indonesia's Economy
17 jam lalu
Purbaya mentioned that President Prabowo instructed him to boost economic growth to 8 percent within 100 working days.
Ministry: No TNI Takeover in Protest Handling, Deployment Only to Support Police Forces
17 jam lalu
Despite the involvement of the Indonesian military in the field, the command of handling the protests is said to remain in the hands of the police.
