Indonesian students protest fuel prices, police law, and weak rupiah

Hundreds of students from Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) demonstrated Friday afternoon in front of the Central Java Governor's Office in Semarang, voicing strong opposition to several government policies. The protest highlighted concerns over rising fuel prices, the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah, and the recent ratification of a law concerning the police.

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Now police can seize civilian space, they can seize all of your space. So, there is one word we can say to them: fight!

The students gathered around 4:00 p.m. and took turns delivering speeches, with the ratification of the Police Law becoming a central point of contention. They argued that the law was hastily passed and disregarded meaningful public participation. A key criticism focused on provisions allowing active police officers to occupy civilian posts within ministries and agencies, which the students decried as an encroachment on civilian space.

"Now police can seize civilian space, they can seize all of your space. So, there is one word we can say to them: fight!" declared one Undip student during their address. The protesters also expressed alarm over the national economic situation, specifically mentioning the weakening rupiah and the recent increase in Pertamax fuel prices.

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First, evaluate the MBG project and lower fuel prices. Next, reform the TNI and Polri. Then, strengthen the value of the rupiah against the dollar within 7x24 hours.

Nur Maajid, the head of the Undip Student Executive Board (BEM), outlined the protesters' demands, which included evaluating the 'Nutritious Meal Program' (MBG), lowering fuel prices, reforming the military and police, and strengthening the rupiah against the dollar within 72 hours. Other demands included a 20 percent cut in officials' allowances, the realization of a promise for 19 million jobs, and the withdrawal of security forces from national strategic projects.

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Today, an economic crisis is imminent. The revision of the Police Law has been passed. Fuel prices have risen. Our rupiah exchange rate is very weak because there are money-burning projects for MBG, Kopdes, and others.

"Today, an economic crisis is imminent. The revision of the Police Law has been passed. Fuel prices have risen. Our rupiah exchange rate is very weak because there are money-burning projects for MBG, Kopdes, and others," Maajid stated. He argued that funds allocated to such programs could be better used for social security, healthcare, fertilizer subsidies, and education. The students rejected the government's narrative of economic stability, asserting that widespread protests and calls for reform indicate otherwise.

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So what should the government do? Of course, evaluate all the policies that have been issued, especially MBG.