Indonesia
University students take part in a protest on Friday against government policies, including state budget spending, fuel price hikes, the free nutritious meal program and expanded military roles in civilian affairs, in Jakarta. (Reuters/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana)
Hundreds of university students rallied across Jakarta on Friday to demand that President Prabowo Subianto take steps to ease economic pressure amid rising prices of nonsubsidized fuels and other commodities.The protest, dubbed #IndonesiaMenujuBangkrut (Indonesia heading for bankruptcy), was initiated by the University of Indonesia’s Student Executive Body (BEM UI) and joined by student bodies from other universities.
Hundreds of UI students departed from their campus in Depok, West Java on Friday afternoon toward the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle (Bundaran HI) in Central Jakarta. They were joined by students from other universities.
However, their buses were intercepted by the police, who directed the students to the Senayan legislative complex instead. Some of the students opted to march from Senayan to Bundaran HI to resume the rally.
