Jakarta Students Protest Subianto’s ‘Wasteful’ Policies and Fuel Price Hike
Hundreds of students took to the streets of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, on Friday, protesting government policies they claim are driving the nation towards insolvency. The demonstrations targeted President Prabowo Subianto, calling for an end to what protestors described as wasteful state spending and the scrapping of his flagship free meals programme.
This programme, a central pillar of Subianto’s agenda, has faced significant criticism, including allegations of corruption and incidents of mass food poisoning. Students also voiced strong opposition to the recent hike in fuel prices, a decision expected to disproportionately affect the middle class.
One student, Zaki, was heard challenging police officers during the protest, stating, “Fuel prices are going up, and our lives are getting harder. Why are you afraid of student voices?” Images from the protest depicted police in riot gear attempting to block students marching towards a prominent Jakarta landmark, the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.
Earlier this week, the state-run Pertamina increased the price of two widely-used fuel types, Pertamax, by over 30%. While Indonesia has largely maintained stable fuel prices, the financial strain of programmes like the free meals initiative, budgeted at an annual £20.8 billion ($28 billion), has pressured the national budget. Last week, the head of the agency overseeing the free meals programme was dismissed following reports of mass poisonings and corruption allegations. Protestors used the hashtag #MenujuIndonesiaBangkrut, meaning “Towards Bankrupt Indonesia,” on social media.
