Elite maneuvers put student movements at risk - Politics - The Jakarta Post

Indonesia

Concerns are growing that political elites are trying to delegitimize student protests against President Prabowo Subianto's policies, with recent maneuvering threatening to undermine their credibility and shift focus away from the grievances that drove the demonstrations.

Students take part in a protest against a rise in non-subsidised fuel prices, inefficient government spending, free meals program and military involvement in civilian affairs, on June 22 in Surabaya. (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)

Concerns are growing that political elites may be seeking to delegitimize student movements amid waves of street protests against President Prabowo Subianto’s handling of rising living costs and economic hardship, with recent maneuvering threatening to undermine their credibility and shift focus away from the grievances that drove the demonstrations.For more than a week, students have taken to the streets in Jakarta and other cities to protest what they describe as President Prabowo Subianto’s “misplaced” spending priorities, particularly his costly free nutritious meal program, at a time when many Indonesians are struggling with worsening economic conditions driven by rising living costs, higher fuel prices and a weakening rupiah.