Student protests erupted in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Friday, as students from multiple universities in the Greater Jakarta area took to the streets to protest the ongoing rise in living costs and called on President Prabowo Subianto to take more effective measures to revitalize the economy. In response, the police deployed more than 4,000 officers and soldiers to maintain order.
According to reports, the Jakarta police dispatched a total of 4,151 joint security personnel, including 500 military troops, to carry out security duties at and around the protest site.
Jakarta police spokesperson Budi Hermanto called on protesters to express their demands peacefully, to avoid damaging public facilities, and not to carry any weapons.
He said that authorities would implement traffic diversions and road closures at appropriate times, depending on the situation on the ground and the size of the crowds, to maintain public safety and traffic order.
According to information from the University of Indonesia Student Union, participating students planned to gather at around 1 p.m. at the Bundaran HI area, about 3 kilometers from the Presidential Palace.
The student group pointed out that Indonesia's economic situation continues to deteriorate and that government policies have not effectively alleviated people's hardship.
The student union stated in a declaration: “The Indonesian economy has already worsened, but the government has only made matters worse. There are loopholes in fiscal policy, the independence of the central bank is under threat, and communication between the government and the people remains far from sufficient.”
Students put forward five main demands, including asking the government to stop wasting national financial resources, lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel, and improve economic governance.
In addition, they are demanding the termination of the controversial free nutrition meal program and the "Red and White Village Cooperative" program. Although the free nutrition meal program aims to address poverty and malnutrition, it has recently come under heavy criticism due to corruption scandals.
The student groups also called on the government to stop military involvement in civil affairs, and demanded that the authorities in power recognize and admit the mistakes in their governance.
Jakarta police spokesperson Budi Hermanto called on protesters to express their demands peacefully, to avoid damaging public facilities, and not to carry any weapons.
He said that authorities would implement traffic diversions and road closures at appropriate times, depending on the situation on the ground and the size of the crowds, to maintain public safety and traffic order.
According to information from the University of Indonesia Student Union, participating students planned to gather at around 1 p.m. at the Bundaran HI area, about 3 kilometers from the Presidential Palace.
The student group pointed out that Indonesia's economic situation continues to deteriorate and that government policies have not effectively alleviated people's hardship.
The student union stated in a declaration: “The Indonesian economy has already worsened, but the government has only made matters worse. There are loopholes in fiscal policy, the independence of the central bank is under threat, and communication between the government and the people remains far from sufficient.”
Students put forward five main demands, including asking the government to stop wasting national financial resources, lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel, and improve economic governance.
In addition, they are demanding the termination of the controversial free nutrition meal program and the "Red and White Village Cooperative" program. Although the free nutrition meal program aims to address poverty and malnutrition, it has recently come under heavy criticism due to corruption scandals.
The student groups also called on the government to stop military involvement in civil affairs, and demanded that the authorities in power recognize and admit the mistakes in their governance.