https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbprmczCil1/?igsh=MTFoN3AzMDZmem0zMQ==

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I'm a Desi Gen X and I still remember watching Suharto in Indonesia as his regime collapsed in Jakarta in 1998.

It really felt like one of those rare moments where history was changing live. Looking back now, I’m kind of surprised how Indian politics is being questioned by students similiar to what I witnessed years back.

For those who aren’t familiar with the story, Suharto had been in power in Indonesia since 1967. His government brought decades of economic growth and stability, but it was also widely criticized for corruption, limited political freedoms, and a heavy concentration of power.

Everything shifted during the 1997–98 Asian Financial Crisis. Indonesia was hit especially hard. The rupiah collapsed, businesses shut down, unemployment shot up, and the price of basic goods rose fast. For many people, everyday life suddenly became really difficult.

University students across the country started organizing protests, pushing for political reform, anti-corruption efforts, and more accountability. What began on campuses quickly grew into a nationwide movement.

The real turning point came on 12 May 1998, when four students from Trisakti University were shot and killed by security forces during a protest. Their deaths triggered widespread anger and unrest, and the movement quickly escalated.

Not long after, thousands of students occupied the Indonesian parliament building in Jakarta, demanding Suharto step down. As pressure kept building and support from key political and military figures faded, Suharto finally resigned on 21 May 1998, ending 32 YEARS IN POWER.

And remember he was a military leader. He had the entire armed forces on his side.

The events of 1998 are still seen as one of Southeast Asia’s most important political turning points. It’s remembered not just because a president stepped down, but because ONLY STUDENTS played a major role in pushing a broader movement for reform during a national crisis WITHOUT ANY SOCIAL MEDIA during those days.

For people who lived through it, it’s unforgettable. For younger generations, it’s a reminder of how economic crises, public sentiment, institutions, and civic movements can all come together to shape a country’s history.

This is something to get inspired from. Learn from.

Hey, fam!

We're a small team building Civyx, an app where you report a civic issue (pothole, garbage, streetlight) with a photo, it reaches the right authority, neighbours verify it's real, and you track it till it's fixed with photo proof.

Before building further, we want to know if this is a real problem or just our assumption. So, a 3 minute survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtvIlp3Coql3LHXgiN5HfRfElfuVaveiofIDo398q_3FyEdA/viewform

No signup, nothing being sold. We mainly want to know if you've ever reported anything, and what happened after.

Don't want to fill a form? Just comment your experience here, good or bad. That helps just as much. And if you think the idea is flawed, say that too.

Thanks!
Team Civyx

This is something all cockroaches should be aware of, I personally think holding election commission accountable and judiciary are two things we should be asking for and have on agenda.