Hundreds of university students in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, staged protests on Friday, voicing strong opposition to recent government policies, including a significant increase in fuel prices and what they termed 'wasteful' state expenditure. The demonstrators expressed fears that these policies could lead the nation towards bankruptcy.
A central point of contention for the students was President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals programme. This initiative, which was a cornerstone of his 2024 presidential campaign, has faced scrutiny due to reported incidents of mass food poisoning and allegations of corruption. Protesters highlighted that public calls for the programme's cessation have been largely ignored, despite its estimated annual cost of approximately £20.8 billion.
The protests also targeted the government's decision to raise fuel prices, a move that is expected to disproportionately affect the middle class. Earlier this week, the state-owned energy company Pertamina increased the cost of two widely used fuel types, known as Pertamax, by more than 30%. While Indonesia has historically maintained stable fuel prices, the financial demands of programmes like the free meals initiative have reportedly put significant pressure on the national budget.
Demonstrations saw students attempting to march towards the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, a prominent Jakarta landmark, where they were met by police barricades. Videos from the scene showed protesters pushing and kicking at the barriers, with some objects being thrown. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Social media users amplified the protest's message under the hashtag #MenujuIndonesiaBangkrut, translating to 'Towards Bankrupt Indonesia'.
These protests reflect a growing public discontent that has been simmering for several months, fuelled by perceived governmental mismanagement and a recent weakening of the local currency, the rupiah, which has fallen to new lows. The students' actions underscore a broader concern among the populace regarding economic stability and the allocation of national resources.