Students hold "Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia" protests against Prabowo's policies

Hundreds of Indonesian students marched in Jakarta, protesting against President Prabowo Subianto's government policies, particularly the recent decision to raise gasoline prices. Dubbed "Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia," the demonstration saw students rallying towards the central Bundaran HI landmark, though organizers reported police and military personnel blocked some from reaching the site.

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Cancel the fuel price hike

The government had maintained fuel prices despite rising global oil costs due to the Iran war. However, fiscal pressures on the budget, exacerbated by Prabowo's spending plans, led to a significant price increase this week. Protesters carried signs with slogans like "Cancel the fuel price hike" and "Wall of Shame" for Prabowo's cabinet.

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Wall of Shame

Student leader Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan outlined five demands, including halting Prabowo's signature free-meals and village cooperative programs, lowering fuel and staple food prices, and ceasing "wasteful" expenditures. Protester Rafael Arreva argued that "wasteful spending on free meals has led to a fiscal situation where subsidies initially provided had been withdrawn."

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Wasteful spending on free meals has led to a fiscal situation where subsidies initially provided had been withdrawn.

Concerns were also voiced regarding Prabowo's expansion of military roles in civilian matters, with fears of a return to the authoritarian era under former President Suharto. "We want to show that things are not okay. We don't want Indonesia to truly go bankrupt, but these behaviours prove that Indonesia will go bankrupt economically, democratically, and morally," Yatalathof stated. Scuffles broke out as students attempted to breach police lines and barricades.

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We want to show that things are not okay. We don't want Indonesia to truly go bankrupt, but these behaviours prove that Indonesia will go bankrupt economically, democratically, and morally.