By: Laksamana Sukardi
When Indonesia fought for independence, “Freedom or Death” was not just a slogan — it was a sacred vow. It echoed across the archipelago, rallying young Indonesians to risk their lives for liberty, justice, and prosperity.
Eighty years later, the generations have changed, but the dream remains the same: a fair society where prosperity is shared. What has changed is the battlefield. Bung Karno foresaw it when he warned the youth:
“Your era will be more difficult, because you will face your own people, not colonizers.”
From 1945 to Reformasi
Bung Karno’s words came true in 1998. The Reform Movement was a youth-led uprising — not against foreign occupiers, but against a failing national leadership — to win democracy, justice, and economic freedom. In that context, “Freedom or Death” evolved into “Reform or Die”.
Today, the fight is quieter but no less desperate. Many young Indonesians still struggle to secure jobs that guarantee dignity. Unlike their predecessors, they now have the option to seek a better life abroad, where opportunities are more secure and wages more rewarding.
This choice has found expression in a digital-age battle cry: #kaburajadulu (“just run away first”) — a reimagined version of freedom without having to die.
The New Disillusionment
This sentiment is fueled by bitter realities. Recently, the Attorney General’s Office displayed mountains of cash seized from corruption cases — trillions, even quadrillions, of rupiah. Instead of inspiring faith in justice, the spectacle underscored the depth of Indonesia’s rot: mega-corruption remains entrenched, while honest work is scarce.
Investors, too, shudder at such displays. The question is obvious: Why is the elephant in the room so hard to see?
A Demographic Gift, or a Time Bomb?
Indonesia’s demographic bonus and rapid technological change could be a golden opportunity — or a disaster. Automation, IoT, and AI are transforming industries, cutting the need for human labor. Without serious preparation, unemployment will rise, and inequality will worsen.
The roots of this inequality lie in the unfair distribution of economic rents from natural resources. Those rents are concentrated in the hands of business elites and political powers — often the same people. Over time, the line between the two has blurred: businesspeople become rulers, and rulers become businesspeople.
In developed countries, new wealth often comes from human capital and innovation — think ChatGPT, Microsoft, Google, Apple. In Indonesia, it too often comes from resource concessions.
The numbers are stark. Oxfam and Credit Suisse report that the top 1% of Indonesians control nearly half (49%) of the nation’s wealth. Northwestern University’s Jeffrey Winters estimates that less than 0.1% of the population effectively sets Indonesia’s economic direction. Among G20 nations, Indonesia ranks among the most unequal.
Two Paths for the Young
Faced with this imbalance, many young people feel trapped between two bleak choices: stay and endure hardship, or protest through a democracy they believe is ineffective. This is precisely the struggle Bung Karno warned of — fighting your own people instead of a foreign enemy.
But the world is different now. The internet and social media have erased many physical borders. Access to global information and opportunities is just a click away. Why fight a losing battle at home, many ask, when you can cross imaginary borders and build a life elsewhere? Thus, #kaburajadulu gains momentum.
History shows that such mass exits often follow civil wars, entrenched inequality, dictatorships, joblessness, or systemic corruption without accountability. That it is happening in resource-rich, democratic Indonesia is a deep irony — and a warning sign.
Redefining “Freedom”
At its core, independence is about securing prosperity and justice for all. “Freedom or Death” remains relevant, but its interpretation has shifted. In today’s interconnected world, “habitat” no longer means a single nation. Many now see the world itself as their habitat — a universal stage where they can pursue dreams without needless sacrifice.
This global shift is already visible. In the United Kingdom, “Muhammad” is now the most popular boy’s name — a symbol of large-scale migration and changing demographics.
In Indonesia, the rallying cry of “Freedom or Death” has morphed into “Just Run Away First”. The spirit is the same — only the era is different.
The challenge is whether, in the years ahead, Indonesia can reverse this trend. The hope is that on a future Independence Day, the trending hashtag will not be #kaburajadulu, but #returnhome.
Happy 80th Independence Day.
Freedom without having to die.
