In my country, students from low-income families are exempt from school fees and may receive grants including their family. More recently, there are also free meal programs for students from grade 1 through grade 12. The low-income families here also receive grants for free healthcare while the rest of us has to pay.
This is impressive then. I wish my country could do this but nope, they’re all about embezzlement.
So, these levels of people have different mode of participation. And the Indonesian saying reflects that distinction between who operates behind the scenes and who shows up on the street, even if it simplifies it.
I totally understand your point now. Thanks for the elaboration