Sumarsih: Indonesia's Golden 2045 Unattainable Without Reforms

Human rights activist Maria Catarina Sumarsih believes Indonesia’s Golden 2045 goal cannot be achieved unless the government implements six reform agendas. ‘2045, in my view, don’t expect Indonesia to reach Golden Indonesia in 2045 if the six reform agendas aren’t carried out,’ Sumarsih said in the Gaspol! podcast by Kompas.com, quoted on Monday, 25 May 2026. She added that the government must implement regional autonomy to the fullest extent, uphold the rule of law, and create a government free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN).

Sumarsih, the mother of Bernardinus Realino Norma Irawan, known as Wawan, who died in the Semanggi I incident in 1998, stated: ‘How long must the struggle continue to complete Wawan and his comrades’ unfinished fight—the student movement and people demanding a democratic Indonesia through reforms?’ As the mother of a Semanggi I 1998 victim, she expressed her wish to prevent further tragedies. ‘There are two key points: first, Wawan should be the only casualty. Second, if this struggle isn’t resolved promptly, I must continue the fight for reform and democracy,’ she said.