Indonesian students protest government policies on free meals, land fires, and free speech

Hundreds of students from Diponegoro University took to the streets in Semarang on Monday, August 24, 2026, to protest a range of government policies. Their demonstration outside the Central Java Governor's Office highlighted concerns over the "Makan Bergizi Gratis" (MBG) free nutrition program, the "Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih" (KDKMP) cooperative initiative, the handling of forest and land fires, and the state of freedom of expression.

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When the news is silent, the streets speak the truth

Fadil Zikra, a representative of the Undip Student Executive Body and coordinator of the protest, stated that the demonstration occurred shortly after Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. He expressed disappointment, saying the nation was presented with policies that did not align with public desires. Zikra specifically criticized the MBG and KDKMP programs, viewing them as political tools for the upcoming 2029 presidential election. He argued that these programs, despite their issues, consumed substantial state budget funds that could have been allocated to more essential areas like education, social protection, or disaster response.

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But today we don't feel that. Instead, we are presented with policies that do not align with the wishes of the wider community.

"Ultimately, all Indonesian people feel the futility of the state budget issued by the country today," Fadil stated. He pointed to ongoing natural disasters, including earthquakes and forest fires, while criticizing the government for cutting funds to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). "We see Flores, we see Sumatra, it's not yet fully resolved. But today the government is still busy with image-building," he added.

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Finally, all Indonesian people feel the futility of the state budget issued by the country today.

The students also raised alarms about the recurring issue of forest and land fires, which they believe the government has not addressed seriously. "We declare that the forest fires today are a disaster that is not being responded to correctly," Fadil asserted. Furthermore, he criticized the shrinking space for free expression, describing it as "illusory in Indonesia." The protest, he explained, was a stand against this, asserting the students' rights as citizens who pay taxes and deserve to have their voices heard.

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We see Flores, we see Sumatra, it's not yet fully resolved. But today the government is still busy with image-building.