"KaburAjaDulu", Advice from Scientists and Diaspora for Young People

The push to leave Indonesia is increasingly being discussed on social media, especially X with the tag #KaburAjaDulu. The hashtag is getting stronger when several officials question the nationalism of the diaspora and fears of a "brain drain" from Indonesia.

"If I were still young and realized that my expertise would be hard to find space for in my own country, yes, 'just run away first'," said Herawati Supolo Sudoyo, Chair of the Medical Commission of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI), responding to the widespread use of the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, in Jakarta, Monday (18/2/2025).

Herawati, a professor of population genetics, also pioneered the establishment of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology. She was one of Sangkot Marzuki's students at Monash University, Australia, who was recruited when establishing the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology (LBM), under the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education at that time.

If I were still young and realized that my expertise would be hard to find space for in my own country, yes, I would just run away for now.

During her decades of work at Eijkman, Herawati has traveled almost to every corner of the country to collect genetic data on various ethnic populations in Indonesia. During that time, she has worked with researchers from various countries, including sending young Indonesians to study abroad.

Hera hopes that when sending young people abroad, they can return to advance research and institutions in Indonesia. However, she also does not require them to return quickly, especially after LBM Eijkman is closed and then merged into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in 2022.

"So, before this hashtag appeared, I had told the young people to run away first, to go to school and build networks," she said. Currently, Herawati does not have much hope that the young researchers who are currently abroad can return soon. "My advice, maybe, is that it's better for them not to come home yet, because we don't have enough space and money to appreciate their abilities," she said.

The advice also applies to his grandchildren who are growing up and starting to dream of studying and working abroad. "That seems to be the voice of many young people today. If they can get out, they will," he said.

According to Herawati, she has never questioned narrow nationalism, because many of her family and environment live there, and some even moved their citizenship for various reasons. "Including for the education of their children and families. However, I feel that they are still Indonesian, with their various contributions," she said.

Herawati also disagrees with the view that Indonesians who have careers abroad will have difficulty reaching the peak of their careers, especially in the academic field. "There are many examples of Indonesian talents getting very important positions in research and academics abroad. So, if there is an opportunity, go after it," she said.

Gludhug A. Purnomo, one of the former researchers of LBM Eijkman who now lives in Australia and works as a researcher at Clinical Bioinformation South Australian Pathology, for example. He left Eijkman to continue his doctoral studies at Adelaide University in 2018. However, once finished, the research institution where he worked was closed, so he chose to pursue a career in a neighboring country.

So, for Gludhug, his decision to live abroad was a matter of opportunity and limited career choices at home. "In the field of fundamental research, Indonesia is indeed still lagging behind. Especially after Eijkman was disbanded, there must be disappointment and especially seeing the development of the research world in Indonesia lately, it feels like the fundamental research ecosystem is inadequate and there is a lack of appreciation for researchers," he said.

However, according to Gludhug, the research conditions abroad are also full of challenges. "Fundamental research here is also less glanced at. But at least there are better facilities, networks, and appreciation," he said.

Even though he works abroad, Gludhug does not cut ties with his network in Indonesia. He is still affiliated with one of the private research institutions in Indonesia. "The desire to return to Indonesia is certainly still there. Personally, I still follow the news in Indonesia to know the ecosystem, both from the media and stories of researchers who are still working in Indonesia, as a consideration for making decisions. But, when will I return, well, I don't know yet," said Gludhug.

According to Gludhug, job opportunities as a researcher abroad are also full of challenges. "The professionalism and work appreciation here are good. Once outside of working hours, it's relaxed. There is a work-life balance. However, the career ladder is currently quite difficult because of the status as a temporary resident, so it falls as a contract employee for 1-2 years or until the visa expires," he said.

For career opportunities, said Gludhug, it would be more open if he changed citizenship. However, for now he has no plans to change citizenship. "For now, focus on trying to learn and improve professional skills and experience abroad, including building networks. Hopefully, I can provide scholarship opportunities for Indonesians," he said.

Unlike Gludhug, Septian Hartanto, a senior MRI physicist, finally decided to move to become a Singaporean citizen. Septian was on the Indonesian team and a bronze medalist in the 2003 International Mathematics Olympiad, before receiving a scholarship to study in Singapore in the same year. "After graduating, there is a minimum work obligation of three years in Singapore to fulfill the obligations of the scholarship provider. Well, the consideration at that time was whether to return to Indonesia or not," he said.

Septian then saw that jobs were currently not available in Indonesia. "Every time I go back to Indonesia, I am more confused about what job I want to do with the skills I have now, so the decision to move to Singapore is more about the lack of suitable jobs," he said.

After considering since 2020, Septian finally decided to change his citizenship. Based on his experience and struggles, Septian understands the emergence of the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu which is currently popular among young Indonesians. "This is the root of the problem, including the limited quality job opportunities in Indonesia, which results in frustration and the desire to find a better life abroad," he said.

However, according to Septian, migrating to a foreign place is never easy, among others, far from the existing support system. Having to start everything from zero, culture shock, climate, food, and many more. "But, for some people, not to migrate is even harder for whatever reason. Therefore, do not be discouraged, if you have the intention you must work hard," he said.

Based on Septian's experience, the Indonesian migrant community in Singapore is very diverse. "In my religious community, for example, consisting of students, domestic workers, sailors, other professional workers, are very supportive of Indonesian migrants and will be happy to help them adapt," he said.

Even though he has changed citizenship, Septian admitted that he still feels connected to Indonesia and does volunteer work to help. He, for example, was actively involved as a volunteer during Covid-19, by joining the Kawal Covid and Kawal Pemilu movements, along with other diaspora.

"I believe that a strong diaspora community will ultimately benefit Indonesia itself, as we can see from the examples of diaspora communities in other countries," said Septian.

Even though job opportunities, including income, to guarantees for children's education and family health, abroad are more promising, both Gludhug and Septian remind us to prepare ourselves well before deciding to go abroad. "What is certain is, never go through illegal routes and adjust to the visa type. Always respect the local culture. Before leaving, first calculate the minimum standard of living, workers' rights including leave, minimum salary, to insurance for work accidents," said Gludhug.

He also suggested to keep trying to develop yourself while abroad, do not get trapped in a comfort zone because you have earned a lot of money. For example, in South Australia, work in agriculture is quite promising in terms of salary, but physical work is draining whether for the long term or just a stepping stone with the risk of long-term injury. "Don't forget, also consider the option to become a professional (white collar), for those who have more experience or education," said Gludhug.

More importantly, the decision to go abroad should not be emotional, let alone tempted by what is conveyed on social media. "The global political situation changes at any time and each country's immigration rules can also change at any time depending on the winner of the election. What is certain is that the situation should not be the same as in Indonesia. We must be ready to adapt, wherever we are," said Gludhug.