Nila Kartika Wati
By Global News Desk
October 22, 2026
In a daring display of civil disobedience that has captured global attention, activists from Greenpeace Indonesia scaled the iconic Selamat Datang (Welcome) monument in the heart of Jakarta on the morning of October 20, 2026. The protest, timed to coincide with the two-year anniversary of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, served as a stark, high-altitude indictment of the government’s perceived inaction on the escalating climate crisis and the crushing weight of the nation’s cost-of-living challenges.
The two women, suspended by climbing harnesses and helmets, unfurled massive banners that dominated the skyline of the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. The messages, written in Bahasa Indonesia, were direct and uncompromising: "Take Action on the Climate Crisis, Bring Down the Cost of Living" and "Disasters are Getting Worse, the People are Struggling, What is the Government Doing?"
The Chronology of the Protest
The operation began in the early hours of Tuesday, October 20. As the city of Jakarta began its morning commute, the activists ascended the historic monument, which was commissioned by Indonesia’s founding father, Sukarno, to welcome athletes to the 1962 Asian Games. By the time the sun had fully risen, the activists were firmly in place, suspended against the backdrop of the statue’s bronze figures.
The visuals were immediate and striking. As police and onlookers gathered below, the activists rappel-lowered to display spherical signs bearing the slogan "No Progress Without Protest." The imagery was meticulously planned to force the public and the political elite to "look up"—both literally at the monument and metaphorically at the state of the nation.
By midday, the protest had concluded as authorities intervened, escorting the activists down from the monument to be processed. However, the physical conclusion of the stunt served only as the catalyst for a digital explosion. Within hours, footage of the rappelling activists flooded Indonesian social media, earning them the moniker "Queens" for their bravery. By the evening, international media outlets had picked up the story, turning a local act of defiance into a global symbol of the growing movement for climate justice.
Supporting Data: A Nation in Crisis
The protest was not an isolated outburst but a response to a series of compounding crises currently gripping Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region.
- The Toxic Haze: Southeast Asia is currently battling the worst transboundary haze in over a decade. Driven by rampant forest and land fires, the toxic smoke has blanketed cities, leading to a public health emergency. In Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan, the impact has been catastrophic, with conservationists scrambling to evacuate critically endangered orangutans from areas decimated by flames.
- Economic Precarity: The cost-of-living crisis, fueled by what activists term "fossilflation," has left millions of Indonesians struggling. As the price of basic goods skyrockets, the divide between the wealthy elite and the struggling majority has widened, fueling deep-seated public resentment.
- Climate Instability: Indonesia is increasingly becoming a front line in the climate battle. From El Niño-charged droughts to devastating flash floods, the nation is witnessing the direct consequences of climate breakdown. Data indicates that the frequency and intensity of these disasters are outpacing current government mitigation strategies.
The Philosophy of Resistance: "No Progress Without Protest"
Atha Rasyadi, head of Greenpeace Indonesia’s Social & Economic Campaign, stood amidst the crowd at the base of the monument, articulating the rationale behind the high-stakes demonstration. "We cannot continue to remain silent when economic growth only enriches a handful of people, especially with the greedy exploitation of nature, while the others are forced to struggle to survive," Rasyadi stated.
The slogan "No progress without protest" has since evolved into a rallying cry, appearing in digital art, threads, and social media campaigns worldwide. It reflects a growing consensus among climate activists: that institutional channels are often too slow, too corrupted, or too indifferent to address the urgency of the climate catastrophe. In this view, peaceful direct action is not just a tactic, but a necessary democratic function to force accountability.
Official Responses and Political Implications
The Indonesian government’s response to the protest was swift, characterized by both immediate security measures and broader public relations concerns. While police were quick to remove the banners and detain the activists, the viral nature of the event forced a degree of acknowledgement from state officials.
Critics of the Prabowo administration have pointed to this protest as a thermometer for public sentiment. As the administration marks its second year in power, the pressure to demonstrate tangible results regarding air quality, food security, and environmental protection has reached a fever pitch. The government now faces a difficult balancing act: maintaining order while addressing a populace that is increasingly unwilling to accept the status quo.
International observers have noted that the Jakarta protest resonates with similar movements in France, Albania, Brazil, and Kenya. In these nations, as in Indonesia, the intersection of economic hardship and ecological decay has created a global coalition of youth-led movements demanding systemic change.
The Broader Context: Global Hope in Action
Jeanny Sirait, a climate justice campaigner with Greenpeace Indonesia, emphasized that the protest was an act of "amplifying the voices of the public."
"Extreme weather and ecological disasters not only threaten public safety and health but also disrupt livelihoods, suppress incomes and drive up food prices," Sirait noted. By framing the climate crisis not as an abstract environmental issue, but as a fundamental threat to the economic survival of the average citizen, the activists successfully linked global climate goals to the daily lived experience of the Indonesian people.
This strategy is part of a wider, coordinated effort to redefine what "hope" looks like in the 21st century. Hope, in this context, is not a passive expectation of government improvement, but an active, participatory resistance.
Conclusion: The Unstoppable Movement
As the dust settles on the Bundaran HI, the legacy of the protest remains in the form of increased public discourse and heightened scrutiny of environmental policies. The activists involved—and the millions who shared their message online—have signaled that they are not waiting for permission to fight for a livable future.
For those watching from abroad, the Jakarta protest is a reminder that the climate movement is becoming increasingly sophisticated and localized. Whether it is challenging the power of fossil fuel corporations or protesting against the exploitation of land, the message is consistent: an informed, united public is the most powerful tool for change.
The Greenpeace "Resistance Hub" continues to provide resources for those inspired by the Jakarta action, emphasizing that while the challenges are systemic, the power to resist is individual and collective. As the world watches Indonesia navigate its path through these climate-fueled crises, one thing is clear: the age of silent endurance is over. The era of the "protest queen," the student demonstrator, and the concerned citizen rising to defend their home has arrived, and it is showing no signs of slowing down.
For more information on how you can support the climate justice movement, visit the Greenpeace Resistance Hub to learn about creative ways to challenge corporate and political inaction.
Dwi Wanna
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
