Indonesian Students Plan Protest Against Prabowo's Free Meal Program

Student activists in Indonesia are planning a protest against President Prabowo Subianto's flagship initiatives, the free nutritious meal program and the Red and White village cooperative. The Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) announced plans for a demonstration at Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta on Friday, June 12, 2026.

BEM UI's demands extend beyond these two projects. They are also calling for an end to state budget waste, a reduction in the prices of basic necessities and fuel, and a halt to militarism in civilian life. The student group further urged President Prabowo to cease evading responsibility and acknowledge government errors.

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Stop the MBG program and the development of the Red and White village cooperative.

These demands stem from a student consolidation meeting on June 10, 2026, which assessed Indonesia's current economic and democratic conditions. BEM UI argues that despite Indonesia's wealth, its people are not prosperous, and economic growth has collapsed due to flawed government policies. They criticize "leaky fiscal policies," the erosion of central bank independence, and what they describe as inappropriate government communication.

The students also accuse the government of dismissing public criticism and using state apparatus to silence dissent. This follows earlier discussions and national consolidation meetings where economic conditions were a key topic. In response, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi acknowledged the students' aspirations, particularly regarding the rupiah's exchange rate, but emphasized the complexity of Indonesia's economic challenges, attributing them to numerous factors.

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Prabowo should also stop evading and acknowledge the government's mistakes.