Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) has released eight economic demands addressed to the government in response to ongoing demonstrations across Indonesia.
Among the most striking is the call for the removal of Sri Mulyani Indrawati from her post as Minister of Finance.
The demands were published through Celios's official social media channels on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
The first point urges President Prabowo Subianto to dismiss Sri Mulyani.
The second calls for the cancellation of the planned increase in allowances for members of the House of Representatives (DPR).
"Establish a single salary system for DPR members, capped at three times Jakarta's minimum wage. Form an independent remuneration committee for state officials. All recess expenditures of council members must be made public," Celios wrote on Instagram @celios_id.
In its third demand, the institution pressed the government to introduce a wealth tax and immediately pass the Asset Seizure Bill.
The fourth point calls for a comprehensive revision of tax regulations, including canceling recent rate hikes that burden the public and lowering the value-added tax (VAT) to 8 percent.
The fifth demand is to reduce the budget allocated to the National Police (Polri) and conduct a thorough review of major programs such as the Free Nutritious Meals initiative (MBG), the Red and White Village Cooperatives, and Danantara.
"Redirect the funds to cash subsidies for the poor," Celios suggested.
Next demand, the group called for the restructuring of government debt and a halt to further borrowing.
The seventh demand, Celios emphasized that the government must enforce the Constitutional Court ruling prohibiting ministers and deputy ministers from holding concurrent positions.
"This includes commissioners, particularly the Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry, who also serves as CEO of Danantara," the statement read.
The eighth and final demand is for the government to stop National Strategic Projects (PSN) deemed financially burdensome, including the construction of the new State Capital (IKN) and food estate programs.
Celios economist Nailul Huda explained that the proposals are aimed at steering the administration toward policies that prioritize ordinary citizens over political elites.
"We want the government under Prabowo to be pro-people and pro-poor, not pro-oligarchy or officials. The goal is to restore public trust. With stronger trust, investors will see positive signals, and the economy can recover," Huda told Tempo on Wednesday.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2045883/celios-issues-8-economic-demands-remove-sri-mulyani-stop-new-deb