Indonesian students protest high fuel, food prices

Hundreds of Indonesian students protested in Jakarta on Friday, demanding lower fuel and food prices and calling for the government to roll back major spending programs as the country faces mounting economic pressures. The demonstration, one of the largest student mobilizations in recent months, saw about 1,500 protesters gather after Friday prayers, many wearing yellow university jackets, before attempting to march to the central Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.

Authorities deployed more than 6,000 police and military personnel, blocking streets and preventing many protesters from reaching key landmarks, including the presidential palace. Scuffles were reported as some students tried to break through police lines and metal barricades.

The protesters outlined five key demands, focusing on lowering the cost of living, cutting what they described as wasteful state spending, and halting major government initiatives. These include President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free nutritious meal program and a rural revitalization plan. The free meals program, which costs approximately 268 trillion rupiah (about $15 billion) for 2026 alone and is aimed at reducing poverty and malnutrition,...