Muda Bicara ID Reveals 'Spiral of Silence' Phenomenon Among Youth

In response to the shrinking civic space for monitoring public policy, the Muda Bicara ID platform has officially launched its national programme, ‘Muda Bicara Kebijakan 2026’. The initiative serves as a response to the increasing threats of repression faced by critical youth groups.

Under the theme ‘Reimagining Democracy: Youth Collaboration for Future Policy’, the forum aims to address the neglect of youth voices, which are often treated merely as political commodities during five-yearly election cycles. A national survey by Muda Bicara ID reveals the emergence of a ‘spiral ofความ silence’ phenomenon. Specifically, 32.27 per cent of young people are shadowed by fear when expressing their opinions, fearing criminalisation or repression, while 26.82 per cent of respondents reported experiencing intimidation and threats.

Furthermore, the survey highlights high levels of dissatisfaction among the youth regarding current government policies. The ‘red report card’ is particularly prominent in the sectors of employment and job opportunities (53.60 per cent) and law enforcement and justice (53.42 per cent). Additionally, 61.90 per cent of young people identified economic pressure and career uncertainty within the gig economy as the primary stressors threatening their future. ‘We must not allow the generation that dominates our nation’s demography to be trapped in fear and apathy,’ stated Moch Edward Trias Pahlevi, founder of Muda Bicara ID, during the online launch in Jakarta.