WerkFore

Traditionally, Indonesian society has emphasized collectivist values, prioritizing community and familial obligations. The rise of #KaburAjaDulu or #JustEscapeFirst in English marks a shift towards individualism. Professionals are seeking personal growth and better work-life balance. They are willing to move abroad to achieve these goals. This movement mirrors global trends like “Quiet Quitting.” Employees disengage from unfulfilling work environments. They seek roles that align with their personal values and well-being.

Source: datariau.com

Where Does This All Begin?

Drone Emprit founder Ismail Fahmi is an expert in social media analysis. He states that the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu has been trending since February 2025. This is due to widespread disappointment with President Prabowo Subianto’s government. It reflects a negative sentiment toward the country’s current political situation.

According to Ismail, the hashtag expresses a desire to leave the country. This hashtag is not entirely new—it first appeared in September 2023. It resurfaced as a hot topic at the beginning of January 2025. It gained viral traction thanks to @hrdbacot, @SumitroYoel, and @berlianidris. They played key roles in amplifying the discussion.

Dissect Through Fishbone Diagram

This trending hashtag is actually deeper than it seems. This wicked problem is difficult to untangle because its causes are interconnected. Starting from Social Pressure, for some Indonesians the uncertain situation in the country leads to frustration. The frustration happens because they can’t do anything to change the situation. Therefore, they need a way to vent their vexation, the solution is social media. Everyone can set up anonymous account in social media, posing as their other self. Because of the alter persona, everyone can vent however they want and whatever they want in the social media. 

Some users vent their frustrations about the difficulty of finding a job in Indonesia. Some of them complained about being laid off because the company decided to cut some budgets. These issues are not entirely false. In 2021, Oxford Economics conducted research. It stated that Indonesia is one of the countries with a huge mismatch between supply and demand for talent. 

The employment problem is not limited to unemployed workers; even those who are employed struggle with their work environment. Mawar (not her real name), a blue-collar worker from Pangkajene Islands Regency, South Sulawesi, works as a cashew peeler. She typically peels up to 20 kg in just three days and often suffers from itching caused by the sap. To treat it, she needs an ointment that costs Rp 5,000 (36 US cents). This amount is twice what she earns per kilogram of cashews. Additionally, female workers are often neglected and overlooked. A similar situation occurs in the Islamic fashion industry, where female laborers in rural areas face exploitation. In the garment industry, they work as seamstresses for only Rp 500,000 (US$35) per month. This amount is far below Indonesia’s average wage for casual workers, which is around Rp 1.4 million per month.

Indonesia’s economic and political situation adds more fuel to #KaburAjaDulu. The IHSG is the main stock market index of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). In English, it is known as the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI). It faced a downfall by 6.12% to 6,078.08 at the close of the first trading session on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. This forced the IDX to temporarily halt trading for 30 minutes. The last time JCI faced a sharp decline was during the pandemic. The Rupiah also saw a sharp decline of 0.3% to Rp 16,472 per US dollar. This makes it one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia in 2025, with a total drop of more than 2.9%.

Several policies implemented by Prabowo’s government have created distrust in the market. One such policy is Makan Bergizi Gratis (Free Nutritious Meals). It costs Rp 420 trillion. This amount is more than 10% of the total fiscal budget until the end of 2025. Additionally, concerns have arisen over the proposed revision of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Bill (TNI Bill). This bill poses a risk to civilians, as it could allow the military to assume roles within the government.

Moving to public safety issue, the National Committee for Women stated an alarming fact. Indonesia’s situation is in a state of emergency for sexual violence. The committee highlighted a harassment case against children that was perpetrated by former Ngada Police Chief AKBP Fajar Widyadharma Lukman. This became a heavy blow for the police institution. The perpetrator should protect the civilians. Instead, they became the main actor of sexual violence. Moreover, the case was recorded on video and circulated in the pornography industry. 

Unseen Effects of #KaburAjaDulu

Given the current reality, the trend #KaburAjaDulu seems justified. Many people have started to ‘save themselves,’ believing that staying will lead to a bleak future. This hashtag provides internet users with a platform to discuss opportunities for moving abroad—whether through jobs, scholarships, or other pathways. Additionally, the trend reflects something bigger, which is brain drain and skilled-worker migration. 

If we look at the history, Indonesia faced the same situation during the 1960’s. During that time, many students continued their studies in the Soviet Union and other East European countries. They were reluctant to go back to Indonesia due to the unsafe political situation. The same thing happened again in the 1980’s. The government sent a lot of talented students to study abroad. Unfortunately, most of them preferred to stay abroad. They wanted to pursue a better living situation. 

What will be the immediate effects of these issues? According to Young (2024), both brain drain and talent migration have a significant impact on the nation. This effect is even greater in a developing country. This leads to a major human capital problem, as there will be fewer skilled individuals to fill the gap. Additionally, the government will experience a loss in tax revenue, which results in higher taxation. The biggest end result? Citizens will face greater difficulties in accessing essential resources like education and healthcare.

References:

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Beta, A.R. (2022) The exploited female workers behind the glitter of Indonesia’s Islamic fashion [online]. Available at: https://theconversation.com/the-exploited-female-workers-behind-the-glitter-of-indonesias-islamic-fashion-179065 

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