Indonesia police charge four after anti-government protest

Indonesian authorities have charged four individuals after an anti-government demonstration in Surabaya, the nation's second-largest city, on June 28. The protest on June 26 drew about 100 people who gathered near a government building to voice opposition to a recent fuel price increase and a free school meals program. This program has been plagued by widespread food poisonings and allegations of corruption.

During the demonstration, some protesters hurled firecrackers and rocks, prompting police to take "firm actions" to disperse the crowd, according to Surabaya police chief Luthfie Sulistiawan. The protests occurred in several Indonesian cities after the government raised gasoline prices by approximately 30 percent to address budget pressures exacerbated by global oil supply disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East.

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We had named four people as suspects for property destruction and assault against officers.

Authorities initially arrested 24 people on the day of the protest. As of June 28, most had been released without charge. However, four individuals were formally named suspects for property destruction and assaulting officers. Additionally, six people remain under investigation after authorities detected drugs in their systems.

Thousands of students in the capital, Jakarta, have also protested the fuel price hikes and demanded a halt to the multi-billion-dollar free meal scheme. Critics argue the program, which has been partially suspended, is excessively costly, rife with corruption accusations, and linked to mass food poisonings affecting tens of thousands of people since its launch.

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firm actions