Indonesian Students Protest Government Policies Amid Economic Pressure

Indonesian Students Protest Government Policies Amid Economic Pressure
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Hundreds of Indonesian students rallied in Jakarta on Friday to protest President Prabowo Subianto’s economic policies, demanding lower fuel and food prices and an end to what they described as wasteful state spending.

The demonstration, held under the banner “Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia,” drew students in university jackets after Friday prayers. Protesters attempted to march toward the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, a major landmark in central Jakarta, but were blocked by police and military personnel. Scuffles broke out as some students tried to push through barricades.

The protesters issued several demands, including the reversal of a recent fuel price increase, lower staple food prices, and the cancellation or review of costly welfare programmes, including Prabowo’s flagship free-meals initiative and village cooperative plan.

The free-meals programme, designed to reduce poverty and malnutrition, has faced scrutiny over its cost, implementation problems and corruption allegations. Prabowo recently replaced the head of the agency responsible for the programme after a graft case involving its former leadership.

Students also criticized the expanding role of the military in civilian affairs, warning that it could weaken Indonesia’s democratic institutions.

The protest came as Indonesia faces growing fiscal pressure, a weaker rupiah and higher global energy costs. The rupiah recently fell sharply against the US dollar, while the government has moved to reduce subsidy burdens after keeping fuel prices stable despite rising international prices.