Jurnal Media dan Komunikasi
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Jurnal Media dan Komunikasi (MEDKOM) No 1 Volume 6 2025

Gotong Royong in Political Unrest: Reclaiming Solidarity Through the Warga Jaga Warga Movement

Illahiati, Nisa Kurnia (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Dec 2025

Abstract

This article examines the emergence of the Warga Jaga Warga movement during Indonesia’s 2025 wave of student-led demonstrations and political unrest. Originating as a digital slogan circulated on social media platforms, Warga Jaga Warga rapidly expanded into offline practices such as neighborhood patrols, vigilance posts, and community deliberations. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on policy documents, media reports, and secondary literature to analyze how the movement mobilized civic participation through digital and cultural repertoires. The study situates Warga Jaga Warga within social movement theory and media activism frameworks, emphasizing the role of framing processes in linking online slogans with offline practices. The findings reveal that the cultural philosophy of gotong royong, which highlights Indonesia’s ethic of mutual cooperation, served as the reflective framework that legitimized and sustained the movement. By invoking gotong royong, participants understood their actions not as exceptional but as continuations of deeply rooted traditions of solidarity. This cultural grounding enabled the digital slogan to resonate widely, translating connective action into enduring collective practices. At the same time, the movement demonstrated ambivalence; while reinforcing stability and relieving state burdens, it risked co-optation by local authorities and raised questions about balancing civic order with democratic protest rights. The paper concludes that Warga Jaga Warga illustrates how cultural philosophies can anchor digital activism, offering a distinctive contribution to the study of grassroots solidarity in Indonesia’s democratic landscape.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

MEDKOM

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

MEDKOM, Journal of Media and Communication (e-ISSN : 2776-3609) is a scientific, peer-reviewed journal published by Department of Communication Airlangga University. MEDKOM Journal is an interdisciplinary journal that, while centered in communication, is open and welcoming to contributions from the ...