Rahmat Hidayat – Hundreds of university students and parents gathered outside the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building in Indonesia's Bandung City on Thursday to protest rising fuel prices, concerns over education policy, and scrutiny surrounding the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
The demonstration, which organizers described as peaceful, drew attention on social media after several mothers staged a symbolic cooking protest by preparing traditional Indonesian snacks and coffee at the rally site.
The action was aimed at criticizing the 2026 New Student Admission System (PCMB) in West Java, which some parents argue has disadvantaged lower-income families seeking access to public schools.
One participant, Neni Suhaeni, said the cooking activity symbolized the burden placed on parents who have been forced to spend time protesting rather than caring for their families at home.
"We are fighting for the rights of children from poor families who also want access to public education," Neni said during the demonstration.
According to Neni, many parents have complained that students seeking admission to public senior high schools and vocational schools are instead being directed by the system toward private institutions.
"Students selected public high schools and public vocational schools, but the system directed them to private vocational schools without offering other alternatives," she said.
The education-related grievances unfolded alongside a separate student-led protest focusing on economic issues, including higher fuel prices and the weakening Indonesian rupiah.
Student groups from several universities in Bandung criticized the increase in Pertamax fuel prices, which they said reached Rp16,250 ($1.00) per liter as of Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Ainul Mardhiyah, coordinator of the Bandung Raya chapter of the National Student Front (FMN), said demonstrators were urging the government to pursue broader industrial reform as a solution to rising living costs and economic disparities.
In addition, student protesters called for a review of the government's Free Nutritious Meals program and demanded wider access to free education.
Organizers said they plan to hold a larger demonstration on Friday if their concerns do not receive a response from policymakers.
The protests reflect growing public debate in Indonesia over education access, living costs, and economic policy as households face increasing financial pressures.