JAKARTA: Indonesian students who took to the streets this week to block new laws they feared would threaten hard-won reforms mobilised amid a flurry of online activity that included tips and advice from protesters in Hong Kong.
Punchy hashtags were used to create a buzz, crowd funding helped raise funds for the protests and the experiences of students in Hong Kong on dealing with tear gas was translated into the Bahasa Indonesia language in posts on social media and on message groups.
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Faced with the protests, President Joko Widodo said on Thursday he was reconsidering a new law governing the country's anti-graft agency, which many believe would strip it of meaningful power.
His apparent retreat also came days after he ordered a delay in passing a contentious criminal code that would have effectively served as a legal basis to punish extra-marital sex and penalise insulting the president's honour, among other things.
READ: It's not only about sex: Indonesia's divisive criminal Bill
READ: Indonesia minister says 'brutal' student protests were hijacked
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The latest demonstrations have been the biggest student protests since 1998, when they contributed to the fall of former strongman leader Suharto. Danu Rizky Fadilla, a 22-year-old at the State University of Jakarta, said the internet was key in mobilising student support against the proposed laws.
"I think the internet now has been inseparable with student movements," he said. "Technology is inherent to student movements, with the hashtags, posts, and petitions."
Riot police officers walk past a damaged car during a protest in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, Sep 26, 2019. (Photo: Antara Foto/Abriawan Abhe via REUTERS)
On Monday, just before the protests started, social media was filled with to-do lists for students who were planning to protest. Photos shared on Twitter ranged from how to wear masks in the event of tear gas being fired, to bringing your own “reusable” water bottles and to dress for the heat.
Hashtags dominating social media this week included #ReformasiDikorupsi (or #reformcorrupted), which Ismail Fahmi, founder of big data consultancy Drone Emprit, said was tweeted about 300,000 times.
REFORM, CROWDFUNDING
"Reformasi" (Reform) was the battlecry for activists during the anti-Suharto protests, which ultimately paved the way for his ouster. This week, a list of student demands was circulated on social media, which alongside opposing the new laws included stopping forest fires and removing a heavy military presence in the restive easternmost area of Papua.
Protesters are seen outside the local parliament building during a protest in Kendari, South East Sulawesi province, Indonesia, Sep 26, 2019. (Photo: Antara Foto/Jojon via REUTERS)
The protesters also raised money on crowdfunding platform Kitabisa.com, collecting around 175 million rupiah (US$12,300) before donations ended.
"We used the money to supply ambulances, food, and 'Komando' cars," said activist Ananda Badudu, referring to pickup trucks packed with protesters.
Some Indonesian students sought inspiration from Hong Kong's anti-government protesters, posting articles and videos showing tactics to deal with the Hong Kong police, as they fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannon.
