Jakarta – Students in Jakarta once again demonstrated against the increase in the price of fuel on June 30, 2008. They gathered as the Indonesian Students League (SMI). The protesters left from the roundabout outside Hotel Indonesia at about 1pm and marched towards the Presidential Palace. There were about 70 people demonstrating.

Chants opposing the government policy of increasing fuel prices reverberated throughout the protest.

A group of police blocked the protesters in front of the office of the Minister for People's Welfare. After difficult negotiations the police allowed time for protesters to speak about their demands. Besides rejecting the government policy to raise fuel prices, they also demanded the government immediately give subsidies to the people. In their speeches, they criticised the political elites as traitors because the policies they implement are never on behalf of the people.

At around 3.15pm the police asked the protesters to immediately disperse. Several students in the front line were pushed by police. Many people who were surrounded by police tried to stand their ground. But the police continued to force them to disperse. Thirty-five people were arrested and taken to the central police station in Jakarta.

Most of the people who weren't targeted by police met at the Legal Aid Centre in Jakarta. Through a media statement they criticised the police actions as violent. They also demanded the guaranteed safety and release of the demonstrators who had been arrested.

At the time of writing, all thirty five who have been arrested have been released. They were released on June 30 at 10.14pm.

[Source: Media Bersama. Translated by Mel Barnes.]