On Wednesday (5/3), the Leadership and Policy Innovation Program of the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM), in collaboration with the Center for Population and Policy Studies (PSKK) UGM, organized a talk show titled “Stay or Leave? The Youth Dilemma in the #KaburAjaDulu Phenomenon.” This event was held as a response to the viral #KaburAjaDulu trend circulating on various social media platforms.
#KaburAjaDulu, a call to leave Indonesia for better opportunities abroad. It has sparked widespread discussions among young generations. Dissatisfaction with government policies, added with increasing corruption cases, has led young people to voice their concerns through this hashtag. However, beyond a mere expression, #KaburAjaDulu serves as a reflection of social realities and government policies.
Moderated by Dr. Tauchid Komara Yudha, MDP, the talk show featured prominent speakers, including Prof. Dr. Sukamdi (Lecturer and Senior Researcher at PSKK UGM), Dr. Media Wahyudi Askar, M.Sc. (UGM Lecturer), and Judha Nugraha (Director of Citizen Protection, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia), who provided critical insights into the #KaburAjaDulu trend from various perspectives.
“If we examine this phenomenon, there are two key implications to consider. On the positive side, individuals can improve their economic conditions by increasing their income. However, on the negative side, we face the risk of brain drain, which means losing a significant number of skilled workers. This could hinder our country’s development,” Sukamdi remarked.
Further elaborating on the issue, Media stated that this phenomenon represents one of the most sophisticated forms of resistance by today’s youth and should be taken seriously by the government. Economic challenges, along with policies that often fail to prioritize public welfare, have become logical reasons for young individuals to seek opportunities abroad. However, Media also highlighted a different aspect of the trend.
“Imagine if all of our nation’s brightest young minds left Indonesia. This is a reflection we must deeply consider together. If that happens, we will lose an entire golden generation,” Media emphasized.
Providing a broader perspective, Judha Nugraha explained Indonesian migration overseas which has been occurring for a long time, even before the #KaburAjaDulu trend emerged. Each year, migration numbers continue to rise, with economic factors being the primary driver. On the one hand, migration contributes positively to Indonesia’s development, particularly in economic growth, as the presence of Indonesians abroad stimulates demand for local products and boosts exports. However, Judha also emphasized the importance of careful planning before deciding to work abroad, cautioning against making impulsive decisions.
The talk show proceeded smoothly and concluded with an engaging discussion session with the audience. SPs UGM hopes this event will provide new perspectives on ongoing societal issues.
Writer: Muthia Nur Arifah