Jakarta, September 3, 2025 – Under a calm morning sky, hundreds of women from the Indonesian Women’s Alliance (API) stood in front of the Main Gate of the Indonesian House of Representatives building. They were not merely a crowd but a force for justice, standing in pink and black attire, carrying brooms, posters, and voices of resistance echoing demands for accountability for the injustices committed by the Prabowo – Gibran regime. This action was not only attended by women but also received strong support from men who were present as a form of solidarity.
The color pink was not just a symbol. It was a legacy of Ibu Anna, who wore a pink hijab when facing repressive authorities on August 28, symbolizing courage that could not be extinguished by repression. Black symbolizesmourning for the victims, including those who have lost their lives in the resistance. One such victim is Affan Kurniawan, an ojol driver who died while working after being run over by the police. His death is not just a tragedy but a deliberate act of murder committed intentionally by the state.
The broom is not just a cleaning tool. It is used as a symbol to “sweep away” corrupt officials who undermine democracy, clean up corruption, and eradicate policies that oppress the people.
Six Firm Demands of API
The Indonesian Women’s Alliance (API) has formulated six main demands in this action:
- Stop all forms of state violence and withdraw the National Armed forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri).
- President Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto are urged to pull the military out of civil affairs.
- End the criminalization of the people, activists, journalists, and legal advocates; unconditionally release all detainees.
- Return the military to the barracks and eliminate TNI involvement in civilian matters.
- Uphold the constitutional rights to assembly, association, and expression without intimidation or violence.
Mutiara Eka Pratiwi, spokesperson of API, described this action as an outpouring of public frustration and disappointment over government and parliamentary policies that are deemed to have failed the people, particularly women, in the midst of worsening poverty, unemployment, and the growing gap between the rich and the poor.
Beyond demands related to violence, API also calls for structural reforms:
- A 50% quota of parliamentary seats for women, including leadership positions and parliamentary bodies.
- Reform of the Mineral and Coal Law (UU Minerba), revocation of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (UU Ciptaker), gender-responsive budget allocation, as well as social and environmental justice.
- Revision of institutional injustices in the legislative, executive, and judiciary to ensure inclusivity and fairness for all.
This manifesto is not empty rhetoric: API wants to declare that protest is a constitutional right, not a threat. They stand firm, wearing pink for courage and black for mourning, and brandishing brooms as symbolic weapons against injustice in the country.
In a peaceful atmosphere, under the close supervision of the authorities, they voice their message: “Do not let policies undermine democracy; do not let the costume of power become tyranny for the people.”
However, the struggle does not stop at the gates of the House of Representatives. As long as injustice persists, as long as the voice of the people continues to be silenced, and as long as women and the poor continue to be victims of power, the resistance will continue to burn. From the streets to discussion rooms, from villages to cities, this voice will never be silenced. Indonesian women are declaring one thing: we will not remain silent; we will continue to fight until justice truly stands with the people.
