Students Protest in Makassar Against President Subianto's Policies; Police on Alert

Student demonstrations are taking place across Makassar, South Sulawesi, with protesters voicing opposition to policies enacted by President Prabowo Subianto, which they argue are not in the people's best interest. The protests are part of a wider wave of student and civil group actions occurring nationwide.

To manage the demonstrations, Makassar authorities have deployed around 1,500 police officers. Police presence is scaled according to the number of protesters, ensuring security at key sites such as the flyover underpass on Jalan Urip Sumiharjo, in front of the UIN campus on Jalan Sultan Alauddin, and the temporary office of the South Sulawesi Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) on Jalan AP Pettarani.

Kapolrestabes Makassar, Kombes Pol Arya Perdana, emphasized the police's commitment to facilitating a safe, comfortable, and smooth demonstration, allowing protesters' messages to be conveyed effectively. He also issued a warning to students, advising them to be cautious of individuals attempting to provoke or intimidate them, and to identify potential infiltrators who might seek to undermine the protest's objectives.

These Makassar protests mirror similar actions held concurrently in Jakarta and Surabaya, and follow demonstrations that occurred in Bandung, Jakarta, Solo, and Yogyakarta in the preceding week. The coordinated nature of these protests highlights widespread discontent among student groups regarding current government policies.