has raised concerns about the program’s long-term sustainability and the military’s growing influence over civilian affairs. The budget cuts, which initially sparked online outrage, soon fueled a nationwide protest known as the Dark Indonesia movement, or Indonesia Gelap121. The hashtag #IndonesiaGelap became a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), reportedly reaching 14 million mentions within 24 hours122. Led by university students and civil society organizations, the movement argued that the government’s policies served the ruling elite’s interests rather than the public good. Demonstrators also rejected the revival of the military’s dual function, along with other controversial initiatives and policies123. Public anger continued to grow as the military’s role expanded. Prabowo further inflamed tensions by increasing housing allowances for members of parliament to nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta, triggering mass protests at the end of August. Thousands took to the streets nationwide124., at least ten people were killed, and 1,042 protesters injured125. During these demonstrations, the suppression of digital rights formed part of the government’s broader strategy of systematic repression aimed at controlling dissent. TikTok was found to have facilitated this repressive approach by suspending its live-streaming feature126. A number of social media accounts and pieces of content were blocked in cooperation with the authorities. Police reportedly arrested seven individuals in connection with the protests. The government was also accused of hiring “buzzers,” or cyber trolls, to manipulate public opinion about the demonstrations127. Aditya, Nicholas Ryan, and Bagus Santosa. “The Indonesian National Armed Forces Is Recruiting 2,000 Personnel for the Free Nutritious Meal Program.” Kompas.com, 22 Nov. 2024, nasional.kompas.com/ read/2024/11/22/20403131/tni-rekrut-2000-personel-untuk-program-makan-bergizi-gratis. 121. Ginanjar, Raden Putri Alpadillah. “‘Indonesia Gelap’ Protestors Call to Prosecute Former President Jokowi.” Tempo.co, 20 Feb. 2025, en.tempo.co/read/1977914/indonesia-gelap-protesters-call-to-prosecuteformer-president-jokowi. 122. Aswan, Desi Triana. “Indonesia Gelap Trending on X Reaches 14 Million Tweets in 24 Hours, Student Protest Due to Effiency.” Tribunnews Sultra, 18 Feb. 2025, sultra.tribunnews.com/2025/02/18/ indonesia-gelap-trending-x-capai-14-juta-cuitan-24-jam-perkara-aksi-demo-mahasiswa-gegara-efisiensi. 123. “Why Did the Massive ‘Indonesia Gelap’ Demonstration Occur?” Tempo.co, 19 Feb. 2025, tempo.co/ politik/mengapa-aksi-demonstrasi-indonesia-gelap-masif-terjadi-1209290. 124. Livingstone, Helen. “Indonesia Protests Explained: Why Did They Start and How Has the Government Responded?” The Guardian, 2 Sep. 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/02/indonesiaprotests-explained-start-how-has-the-government-responded. 125. Salam, Hidayat. “YLBHI: 3,337 People Arrested and 10 Killed in the Protest.” Kompas.id, 3 Sep. 2025, www. kompas.id/artikel/ylbhi-3337-orang-ditangkap-dan-10-meninggal-dalam-unjuk-rasa. 126. “Bytedance’s TikTok Temporarily Suspends Live Feature in Indonesia Following Protests.” Reuters, 30 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bytedances-tiktok-temporarily-suspends-live-featureindonesia-following-protests-2025-08-30. 127. “Efforts to Undermine Demonstrations Through Influencers.” Tempo.co, 4 Sep. 2025, www.tempo.co/ politik/narasi-influencer-merepsons-tuntutan-demonstran-2066522. 120. 34