Jakarta – Students in Semarang and Makassar began a hunger strike Monday to protest the government's recent fuel price increases.

The strikers, from the Islamic University Students Association, said they would call off the strike if the government revised its fuel policy, which they blamed for driving more people into poverty.

With their mouths symbolically taped shut, the strikers marched on the governor's office in Semarang, Central Java, carrying banners with slogans condemning the price increases.

Governor Ali Mufiz met with the demonstrators but refused to give in to their demands, saying the price hike was inevitable and a difficult decision for the government to make in light of soaring world oil prices.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, hunger strikers staged a protest at state-run Hasanuddin University. They accused the government of pushing more people into poverty. They said the government should be held responsible for the fuel policy's domino effects, including the soaring prices of basic commodities.

In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, public transportation came to a complete halt as bus drivers rallied at the governor's office to voice opposition to the fuel price rises. Thousands of workers and students had to walk to their workplaces and campuses.

"We will not go back to work unless the government meets our demands and revokes the decision to raise fuel prices, or gives us fairer new fares," said Simon Taneo, a minivan driver who plies the Kupang-Oepura route.

The municipal administration raised public transportation fares from Rp 2,000 to Rp 2,500 for adults, and from Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,250 for students. However, drivers say this is not enough.

"If the old fuel prices are not restored then we demand the fares be raised to Rp 3,000 for adults and Rp 2,000 for students," Simon said.

Kupang Deputy Mayor Daniel Adoe said the drivers should understand and accept the new tariffs because it was a consequence everyone had to bear as a result of the government's decision.

In Surabaya, East Java, hundreds of public transportation drivers marched on the provincial legislature, demanding the government review public transportation fares there.

They forced other drivers still operating to join them by forcing passengers out of buses and taxis. "Stop the car. Don't you understand were are on strike for better conditions?" they shouted to other drivers.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed in anticipation of the protests turning violent.

"We are not here to riot but to show the government its decision has hurt the people very badly," a protester said.