Hundreds of Indonesian students gathered in Jakarta on Friday, protesting President Prabowo Subianto’s government. They marched towards central Jakarta’s iconic Bundaran HI landmark, demanding changes to spending priorities.
The protest, dubbed “Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia,” was prompted by this week’s decision to raise gasoline prices despite global oil price spikes due to the Iran war. The government had maintained gasoline prices unchanged in Southeast Asia’s largest economy amid fiscal pressure from Prabowo’s spending plans.
Student leaders demanded an end to free-meals and village cooperatives programs, lower fuel and staple food prices, and a halt to “wasteful” spending. They fear Prabowo’s expansion of military roles in civilian affairs could lead back to authoritarianism under former President Suharto.
Protesters carried banners with slogans such as “Cancel the fuel price hike” and “Wall of Shame,” describing Prabowo’s cabinet. Some clashes occurred when protesters tried to break through police lines, while Jakarta police did not immediately respond to questions about the blockade.