The mass media has been bombarded with comical messages from student protesters across the country. Humorous posters that prompted smiles or laughter colored the wave of heated opposition against a number of revised laws
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·5 minutes read
The mass media has been bombarded with comical messages from student protesters across the country. Humorous posters that prompted smiles or laughter colored the wave of heated opposition against a number of revised laws.
On Tuesday (24/9/2019), the cloudy sky provided respite to the thousands of students from several universities in Bandung who had gathered at the West Java Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD). Their voices were loud. Amidst their sharp oral criticism, they held posters and banners bearing satirical messages that made fun of the administration.
"I thought it was only my heart that was weak. It turns out that the KPK is, too," read a striking poster written in blue marker on white cardboard that Fajar, 20, carried. The poster criticized the revised Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law, which was deemed problematic because it undermined the authority of the KPK.
"We use funny sentences to criticize it, because the reason for revising the KPK Law is also laughable. The people expected a crackdown on corruption, but instead the KPK has been weakened," said the student of the Bandung Institute of Public Administration (STIA LAN). He had come to protest along with 150 fellow students.
Another reads, "What did my father\'s chickens do wrong? Article 278 of the RKUHP", referring to the Criminal Code Bill. The article it cites stipulates that anyone who allows their poultry to run freely on someone else’s land that has been planted shall be liable to the maximum fine under Category II.
In addition to highlighting the revised KPK Law and the RKUHP, the students grouped under the People\'s Alliance for Contesting the State (Alarm) also demanded a review of the Correctional Facilities Bill and the Land Bill, while urging that the Bill on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (PKS) be immediately passed into law.
In Jakarta, the posters of University of Indonesia students gave voice to other criticism, like "The only legitimate contract is the one between me and you. Not the revised KPK Law."
One student said that the posters illustrated the pettiness of the House of Representatives (DPR) lawmakers. "The DPR has never worked seriously. Their policy results are laughable. So we criticize them using [messages] that are also funny," he said.
Private domain
A unique message appears on the posters carried by students of Jakarta’s Atma Jaya Catholic University: "It\'s enough that your parents interrupt us on Saturday night. Dont, DPR!"
The students are satirizing and criticizing the DPR members through the poster. The draft Criminal Code Bill is believed to intrude on personal matters, while threatening and unfair to ordinary people, especially women.
"What about women who are raped and choose abortion, and then they are imprisoned?" said Cindy Larasati, an International Relations senior at the Veterans National Development University-Jakarta. She was scheduled to meet her lecturer over her thesis on the day of the protest.
Dara Tanjung Maharani, 20, exhibited high spirits during the demonstration, raising her hands high while shouting, "DPR wake up, DPR wake up, DPR wake up." Her small frame instantly stole the spotlight amid the crowd of students.
"DPR wake up! Too Much Sleep Brings Dreamed-Up Bills ", reads the poster she is holding. "The DPR members are notorious for sleeping frequently at meetings. Maybe when they made the bill, they were drowsy. So the result is awful," said Dara.
The Political Science student at Bakrie University rallied under the hot sun, joining students from other universities and cities to voice their concerns. She said that the DPR had not listened at all to the people’s aspirations.
"The PKS Bill that protects victims of sexual violence has been postponed. Adulterous people have been taken care of, like they (DPR) don’t commit adultery. What are their priorities”” she said.
Witty criticism was also apparent during the #GejayanCalling action in Yogyakarta on Monday, taking a Javanese-language excerpt from a song by Didi Kempot: "Sir, what\'s wrong with your people?" The phrase questions the wrongs that people do.
Others held posters that asked for their mother’s permission. "Mom, I’m leaving to take to the streets. The DPR is crazy," read one.
Mustofa Rahman, 23, of Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University said that the witty posters were a way for students to express their aspirations. "We are taking action on behalf of the people. We want the people to sympathize. The way to attract them is through humor," he said.
New Color
Satirical criticism is a “new color” of student movements. Communications dean Septiawan Santana Kurnia of Bandung Islamic University said this was inseparable from the culture that had developed among the millennial generation.
"Their style is more relaxed and cheerful, but [it is] not weak. Their accusations are made sharper through their satirical criticism," he said.
It was also inseparable from the current sociopolitical climate. He compared the student movement to that of the previous era. For example, students were more aggressive during student movements during the New Order era, because they were resisting a repressive government that used military force. "The situation has changed. Creativity has progressed in demanding something," he said.
The days of student demonstrations that are armed with satire are not likely to end soon. Creativity has become a powerful weapon in the hands of today’s students.