The viral hashtag #KaburAjaDulu (“Just Flee First”) surged back onto Indonesian social media today, signaling renewed youth disillusionment amid persistent austerity, stagnant economic growth, and curtailed educational funding. What began as a satirical warning four months ago during the “Dark Indonesia” protests is now becoming a stark expression of systemic youth anxieties—and a visible marker of the nation’s looming brain drain.
What Happened Today
At around 9:00 AM on July 2, videos and messages featuring #KaburAjaDulu trended once again across TikTok, X, Instagram Reels, and Facebook, showing young Indonesians sharing profiles of overseas scholarships, job openings abroad, and visa pathways. Many clips included routines like packing bags, bidding farewell at airports, and lamenting local conditions. Within hours, engagement on the tag exploded—TikTok #KaburAjaDulu videos exceeded 1 million views, while X saw over 50,000 new posts tagging the trend.
Meanwhile, Indonesian embassies in Australia, Canada, and Japan reported spikes in queries: from 20/day in January to 120/day this week, with hopeful applicants asking about work and study visas. Japan’s ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi, even publicly encouraged students, saying on X:
“We welcome hardworking Indonesian youth—language barriers are no obstacle in many of our universities.”
Why It Matters
Indonesia’s Youth Unemployment: At the end of 2024, the unemployment rate for those aged 15–24 reached 17.3%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Budget Cuts: The 2025 education budget was slashed by approximately Rp 14.3 trillion, impacting scholarships and research funding .
Growing Diaspora: Around 6 million Indonesians now reside abroad and a 2024 survey revealed 60% of young professionals are actively considering emigration.
Taken together, these factors are compelling young Indonesians to explore leaving—even temporarily—fueling fears of a future talent deficit.
Voices from the Trend
Dr. Hempri Suyatna, UGM social development expert, stated on January 20:
“#KaburAjaDulu reflects youth frustration with budget cuts that jeopardize education and push them abroad.” (ugm.ac.id)
Prof. Hermanto Siregar of IPB University noted on March 4:
“In connected, competitive times, brain drain is inevitable; the hashtag is a rational response.” (detik.com)
Masaki Yasushi, Japan’s ambassador, said:
“Our universities welcome Indonesian students—even if their Japanese isn’t perfect.” (reddit.com)
Government Reaction
Minister Abdul Kadir Karding, head of Migrant Worker Protection, cautioned youths not to make “impulsive decisions,” urging them to prepare legally:
“Without skills, language, or mindset, leaving can lead to exploitation.” (ft.com)
Budi Setiyono, Secretary at Education & Culture, called for a positive spin:
“Diaspora networks expand Indonesia’s presence—and can benefit the nation.” (ft.com)
Both officials recognize #KaburAjaDulu as a systemic signal—a symptom rather than mere trend.
Data-Driven Implications
| Indicator | Data / Trend |
|---|---|
| Youth Unemployment (15–24) | 17.3% in August 2024, vs national 4.9% |
| Education Budget Cuts | Rp 14.3 trillion slashed in 2025 funding |
| Diaspora Numbers | 6 million Indonesians abroad as of 2023 |
| Emigration Intentions | 60% of youth report intention to emigrate |
| TikTok Views | #KaburAjaDulu videos exceed 1M views today |
source ft.com
These metrics underline that #KaburAjaDulu is much more than a meme—it’s a powerful barometer of unmet needs.
Real-World Consequences
Several educational programs report dips in enrollment. Scholarship uptake rates dropped 45% in early 2025 as students seek foreign alternatives. Meanwhile, local universities highlight a 20% drop in postgraduate applications year-on-year.
At Gadjah Mada University, applications to overseas exchange programs have nearly doubled since January, with students citing “better safety, pay, and career paths.”
The revival of #KaburAjaDulu underscores a frustrated youth demographic—online-savvy, aspirational, but deeply worried about stagnation at home. The trend reflects not apathy, but a pragmatic response rooted in diminishing opportunity, falling educational investment, and tough economic realities. Whether “Just Flee First” proves to be a temporary coping mechanism or the precursor to Indonesia’s next brain drain demands more than rhetoric—it requires policy urgency.
For Indonesia to retain its most valuable resource—its youth—it must invest in quality education, meaningful employment, and global pathways that incentivize return and contribution. Failure to heed this modern diaspora impulse risks eroding the nation’s future at home.
