The millennial generation had no clear financial plan. In fact they generally had higher earnings but many failed to manage their finances.
By
Beni Sindhunata
·4 minutes read
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro
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In mid-November, the Indonesian Solidarity Party announced that 60 percent of its legislative candidates passing the test are of the millennial generation. It is certainly positive to see the participation and responsibility of the young generation for the future of the nation. However, do not forget, this young generation also faces challenges regarding the future of the nation and their own wellbeing, especially with respect to the economy and politics.
It is in this context that the millennial generation, people born between 1980 and 2000, or generation Y, focuses on challenges of the younger generation and their role for the future of Indonesian business and politics.
It needs to be understood that political parties of the younger generation are not identical to one another, that they are the products of preferences based on educational background, experience or the environment, which affect them both directly and indirectly.
For example, a CSIS (Centre for Strategic and International Studies) survey (4/11/2017) shows that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is the most popular among the millennial generation (94.2 percent), among other things, because this party won the 2014 presidential elections. It was further shown that the millennial generation is optimistic about the current government (75.3 percent). It implicitly shows that the party of the young generation is not necessarily interesting for or popular with fellow people of the young generation.
Meanwhile, Doglas Boneparth said the millennial generation had no clear financial plan. In fact, they generally had higher earnings, but many failed to manage their finances.
Credit Suisse said this generation was worse in financial management than the baby boomers, because of tighter financial conditions than its predecessors. However, the Swiss financial services corporation said the millennial generation was not a lazy generation, because they had to fight harder than the previous generation. Due to increasingly high land prices, they are required to work harder for various needs, such as homes, pensions, savings, investments and other basic needs. It would not be surprising, therefore, if many were unable to buy houses in the future.
Regardless of the Indonesian people’s view of the millennials and the appearance of the younger generation on the political stage, it is hoped that the younger generation will behave better than their predecessors.
A new vibrancy and new spirit will be felt. Moreover, they are generally familiar with social media, the internet and other new technology. According to the Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers (APJII), there were 132.7 million internet users in October 2017, and 97 percent of them use social media.
Expected to work
Whatever conclusion the surveyors may arrive at, this is only part of the whole picture of the millennial community and young generation and their present and future impact on Indonesian politics. It is understood that not all millennials have the same stance on a particular problem, because it also depends on time, experience and background.
What matters is how this millennial generation will act now and in the future and whether they will voice their conscience and concerns mainly in the mass media or take real action for the betterment of the state and nation.
This young generation of the millennial circle has learned a lot and sees the current national political scene, which is full of negative image. It constitutes a challenge and an opportunity for the younger generation to contribute actively to the state and to themselves, because the public is increasingly advanced, knowledgeable and educated.
Nevertheless, the younger generation should not regard it as a cycle of the times, but as a challenge and a tough task to realize. Thus, the various attitudes, spirit and positive ideas at present should not only be sweet on the lips, but they must be realized.
All of this can start in the 2018 regional elections or the 2019 presidential election. The transition from the old generation to the younger generation is a natural one that cannot be avoided. Do not just get stuck in a certain period of time, whether 2019, 2028 or 2045, but keep your eyes on the future.
The younger generation of Indonesia must bring positive change from the previous generation, because the people have witnessed the behavior, spirit and nature of part of the previous generation when they become legislators and bureaucrats in the central government and the regions.
