Indonesiantalk.com — Garuda Astacita Nusantara establishes legal aid foundation, expands grassroots role
Mass organization Garuda Astacita Nusantara (GAN) has established a legal aid body, the Garuda Adil Nasional Legal Aid Foundation (YLBH GAN), marking a new phase in its effort to combine civic activism with policy advocacy.
Formally founded on Oct. 21, 2025, the legal aid foundation is led by lawyer and academic Yuspan Zalukhu, who serves as its director. Despite being only three months old, YLBH GAN has moved swiftly to take on high-profile public interest cases.
The foundation is currently handling a series of class action lawsuits representing mobile phone users against major telecommunications operators, including PT Telkom Indonesia (through its Telkomsel and IndiHome services), PT Indosat, and XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera (XL Smart).
The lawsuits also name the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) as a co-defendant.
According to Yuspan, the plaintiffs argue that the operators’ internet quota expiration policies constitute unlawful conduct, as unused data is forfeited without compensation or benefit rollover.
“These companies are being sued for policies that cause consumers’ remaining internet quotas to expire without compensation or extension,” Yuspan said in a statement issued in Jakarta.
“This practice contradicts the principles of law, justice and consumer protection,” he added.
Yuspan estimated that the annual losses suffered by mobile users due to expiring data quotas could reach Rp 63 trillion (US$4 billion), describing the situation as a reflection of the state’s failure to adequately protect public interests in the digital sector.
The class action lawsuits demand that the court order operators to implement non-expiring quotas, establish rollover mechanisms or automatic extensions, and ensure transparency in data usage deductions. The first court hearing was held on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
“This is YLBH GAN’s first major action to defend citizens whose rights have been unilaterally stripped away,” Yuspan said.
Marking one year with policy engagement
The launch of the legal aid foundation coincided with GAN’s first anniversary, commemorated through a national seminar and anniversary event held at the Nyi Ageng Serang Building in South Jakarta on Friday.
Rather than a celebratory affair, the event underscored GAN’s stated commitment to advancing the Asta Cita agenda of President Prabowo Subianto, particularly in areas of food security and human capital development.
GAN chairman Muhammad Burhanuddin said the organization’s first year had been about translating political support into tangible social action.
“This anniversary is not merely ceremonial. It proves that political support can be converted into social movements that directly impact the public,” Burhanuddin said.
Since being legally established on Dec. 6, 2024, GAN has positioned itself as an active civil society actor rather than a post-election support group.
Burhanuddin said the organization had adopted Asta Cita’s eight priority missions—ranging from food resilience and economic independence to defense strengthening and equitable development—as its operational blueprint.
One of GAN’s earliest initiatives was its involvement in overseeing the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which it began supporting on the ground in 26 provinces starting in January 2025.
While many stakeholders were still debating policy frameworks, GAN opted to engage directly at the grassroots level to ensure effective delivery, Burhanuddin said.
“President Prabowo cannot work in isolation. He needs a strong support system on the ground to make sure programs reach the people,” he added.
Expanding regional presence
Over the past year, GAN has rapidly expanded its regional structure by forming provincial branches (DPW), reflecting its belief that equitable development cannot be driven solely from Jakarta.
In South Sulawesi, for instance, the regional branch under Sugianto Wahid organized a public dialogue titled Safeguarding the President’s Asta Cita, bringing together local government officials and civil society groups to discuss national development priorities.
GAN plans to use its second year to deepen its involvement in public political education, community economic empowerment and oversight of strategic government programs. Burhanuddin emphasized that the organization would maintain an independent yet constructive stance.
“We will remain critical, independent and constructive in ensuring that Asta Cita is implemented for a more advanced and equitable Indonesia,” he said.
