Indonesian Teacher Spotted in Starbucks, Public Assumes Corruption
An Indonesian teacher was spotted drinking Starbucks. Now, the nation wants to know: where did the caramel macchiato money come from?
JAKARTA — Social media went into meltdown Thursday morning, when a local public school teacher was reportedly seen purchasing and consuming a Starbucks caramel macchiato in South Jakarta’s Gandaria City mall.
“I just knew something was off,” said 28-year-old netizen @truthnasiuduk, who uploaded a blurry photo of the incident to X. “Look at her. She’s holding a laptop. A MacBook! Teachers don’t make enough for that unless something shady is going on. This isn’t Finland. This is Indonesia.”
The post quickly went viral, sparking debates online about whether it was possible for a teacher to afford luxury coffee without violating ethics, or the national budget law.
Within hours, online investigators began constructing elaborate theories explaining how the teacher, later identified as Bu Rini, could afford a beverage priced at Rp 65,000.
One viral thread claimed she was “clearly involved in textbook procurement corruption,” citing her suspiciously intact handbag. Another pointed to the “foreign laptop,” alleging she had likely been “recruited by an NGO with Western influence.”
A third, more level-headed comment simply asked, “Could it be… her payday?”
That theory was swiftly dismissed as “unrealistic and anti-patriotic.”
The teacher’s colleagues later confirmed that Bu Rini had, in fact, just received her long-delayed certification allowance, a government bonus intended to recognize professional educators. However, this clarification did little to calm the nation. “Sure, maybe she got her allowance,” wrote one commenter, “but what’s next? Ordering almond milk? That’s how it starts.”
By Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Education had issued a statement confirming that an “internal review” was underway to ensure no public funds were used in the Starbucks purchase.
“Teachers are role models,” said spokesperson Dimas Santoso, “and must uphold integrity by drinking beverages consistent with the values of austerity and struggle. We cannot have young students believing success leads to frappuccinos.”
Meanwhile, several public figures weighed in. One celebrity influencer tweeted, “Teachers are heroes! But Rp 65,000 for coffee? That’s like... government money!” before resuming her sponsored post for a Rp 1.2 million skin serum.
The Indonesian Teacher’s Association (PGRI) called the incident a “disturbing example of economic prejudice,” noting that “teachers deserve to buy overpriced coffee too.”
Still, public sentiment remains divided. While some defend Bu Rini, others insist the sight of an educator with a caramel drizzle undermines national trust. “We love our teachers,” said one citizen, “but they should remain humble. Maybe instant coffee. Or tap water. Cold tap water, if possible.”
Late Friday evening, Bu Rini broke her silence. Speaking to reporters from her modest 3x5-meter home, she clarified, “It was a gift card from a former student. I didn’t even know caramel macchiatos were that expensive.”
Meanwhile, economists have warned the controversy could discourage teachers from participating in the formal economy altogether. “If we punish educators for basic comfort,” one analyst wrote, “don’t be surprised when the next generation of teachers start side hustling as baristas.”
When asked if she plans to visit Starbucks again, Bu Rini sighed. “Maybe once a year,” she said. “After all, next month’s salary is for fixing the classroom fan.”
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