In Jakarta and on Instagram, pink and green colors gain recognition as signs of protest in Indonesia
In the heart of Indonesia, a wave of change is sweeping across the nation, as people from various walks of life unite under the banner of the "Brave Pink, Hero Green" movement. This movement, born out of economic inequality and the perceived extravagant perks enjoyed by lawmakers, has captured the hearts of many, including Sphatika Winursita, a 25-year-old from Banten province west of Jakarta.
Sphatika, like many others, has changed her Instagram profile to support the pink-and-green movement, feeling a sense of unity with those who do the same. She finds joy in seeing others use the same pink-and-green filter on their social media profiles, a symbol of solidarity that resonates deeply.
The movement has been instrumental in sparking protests across the country, with people taking to the streets to demand change. However, the government's public communications have been criticised for poor handling of the situation, according to Muhammad Dwiki Mahendra, a commentator from Germany. He believes the movement is a crucial pillar in countering the government's narrative that community movements are being manipulated by foreign forces.
The protests, which have eased recently, have not been without incident. At least 10 people were reportedly killed, hundreds injured, and at least 20 people are still missing, according to a state-affiliated rights group. The death of Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old delivery driver who was killed during the protests while wearing a bright green jacket, stoked anger among workers who face big pay deductions and longer working hours.
Despite the violence, the movement continues to gain momentum. Graffiti in Yogyakarta reads "RESET SYSTEM", a clear call for change. The pink and green colours have become symbols of this solidarity movement, with Dila, an office worker in Jakarta, changing her Instagram and WhatsApp profile pictures to these colours.
The movement has also garnered international support, with a person from Germany associated with the "Brave Pink, Hero Green" movement, holding a master's degree in peace and conflict studies, choosing to remain unnamed in the provided search results.
The government's U-turns on the controversial perks that angered Indonesians are a testament to the movement's impact. Prabowo Subianto, the former president, described some of the protesters' actions as "leaning towards treason and terrorism", but he later left to attend a military parade in Beijing after delaying the trip.
Adherents of the pink-and-green movement believe that change is only possible when the existing issues are addressed. They strive to spread awareness about the protests online among those who may not have been aware or who did not join the protests, using the "Brave Pink, Hero Green" movement to do so.
As the movement continues to grow, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the future of Indonesia. However, one thing is certain: the people of Indonesia are standing together, united in their pursuit of a better future.
