JAKARTA - Hundreds of students gathered in Indonesia's capital on Friday to protest government policies they claim could lead the country toward bankruptcy. The demonstrators urged President Prabowo Subianto to halt what they described as wasteful state spending and to cancel his flagship free meals program, which has been plagued by widespread food poisoning incidents and corruption allegations.
Fuel Price Hikes Spark Anger
The protesters also condemned the government's decision to raise fuel prices, a move expected to burden the middle class. Friday's protest reflects months of growing public discontent over perceived mismanagement. The Indonesian rupiah has recently fallen to new lows, adding to economic anxieties.
“Fuel prices are going up, and our lives are getting harder,” shouted university student Zaki at police officers. “Why are you afraid of student voices? They say demonstrations are guaranteed by the constitution? That’s not happening today,” he continued.
Clashes with Police
Images from the protest show police officers holding shields as they attempted to block students marching toward the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, a well-known landmark in Jakarta. Video footage from BBC Indonesian captured protesters pushing and kicking against police barricades, with some objects being thrown into the air. No injuries have been reported so far.
On social media, protesters used the hashtag MenujuIndonesiaBangkrut, meaning “Towards Bankrupt Indonesia.”
Context of Ongoing Unrest
This protest occurs less than a year after violent anti-government demonstrations in August, triggered by the death of a delivery rider that fueled anger over elite rule and alleged state mismanagement.
Earlier this week, state-owned oil company Pertamina raised prices for two widely used fuel types, Pertamax, by over 30%. Indonesia had largely kept fuel prices stable, but Prabowo's programs, including the free meals initiative, have strained the national budget.
Free Meals Program Under Fire
The free meals program, a cornerstone of Prabowo's 2024 presidential campaign, aims to address child malnutrition, improve educational outcomes, and stimulate the economy at an annual cost of $28 billion (£20.8 billion). Officials have described it as “an investment in Indonesia’s future.”
However, university student Rina criticized the program, stating it “has been unclear from the start. There have been incidents like mass food poisoning, and now corruption. The public has been calling for it to stop, but those demands have been ignored.”
Last week, Prabowo dismissed the head of the agency overseeing the free meals program following the mass poisonings and corruption allegations.
