Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – A student-led protest organized by the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) ended in Central Jakarta on Friday, June 12, after demonstrators were prevented from reaching their planned rally site at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout.
The protesters, who gathered under the banner #IndonesiaMenujuBangkrut ("Indonesia Heading Toward Bankruptcy"), had originally intended to stage their demonstration at the landmark traffic circle. However, their march was blocked by joint security forces from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri).
BEM UI chair Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan told demonstrators that the rally marked only the beginning of a broader campaign to press the government to respond to their demands.
"This is not the end. This is only the first step. Let's conserve our energy for what comes next," Athof said during a speech delivered outside the Thamrin Nine complex.
Five demands
The student coalition put forward five key demands: reducing what it describes as wasteful state spending; lowering the prices of basic goods and fuel; halting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and the Red and White Village Cooperative initiative; ending military involvement in civilian affairs; and urging President Prabowo Subianto to acknowledge and take responsibility for government policy failures.
Criticism of government policies
Following the rally, representatives of the student alliance issued a statement criticizing the government's economic policies.
The coalition argued that official economic growth figures do not reflect the realities faced by many Indonesians, citing rising food prices and limited employment opportunities.
"Rice prices continue to rise, while jobs remain scarce," a representative of the alliance said.
The group also accused the government of being unresponsive to public criticism and failing to address concerns over economic and democratic conditions.
"The promise of a Golden Indonesia is instead leading the country toward economic and democratic decline," the statement said.
The alliance further criticized the involvement of military personnel in securing the demonstration, arguing that the TNI's primary role should be safeguarding national sovereignty rather than policing civilian protests.
More protests planned
Despite ending Friday's rally, organizers signaled that further demonstrations are likely.
Athof said the coalition plans to mobilize a larger number of participants within the next one to two days.
Friday's protest brought together student groups from the University of Indonesia and its 15 faculty student councils, IPB University, Jakarta State Polytechnic (PNJ), Pancasila University, Gunadarma University, and several activist organizations, including the National Student Front (FMN), Pembebasan, and Semar UI.
Additional organizations that participated in a national student consolidation meeting at the University of Indonesia are expected to confirm their involvement in future actions, organizers said.
– Ricky Juliansyah contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2108288/students-end-jakarta-protest-say-it-is-just-the-first-ste