Makassar Students Protest, Demand MBG Transparency and Cabinet Restructuring
Students from the Alauddin State Islamic University (UIN) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, held a demonstration demanding that the Prabowo-Gibran administration undertake restructuring to ensure cabinet efficiency and cut unproductive bureaucratic spending to protect the national budget for the public good.
Organised under the flyover of Jalan Urip Sumohardo and Jalan AP Pettarani, the protesters blocked road access by using a container truck as a platform for orations and burning used tyres.
During the protest, students highlighted various policies of President Prabowo Subianto that they consider detrimental to the people, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
“We urge transparency in public information regarding the MBG budget. We demand the full involvement of local farmers and regional MSMEs to prevent corporate monopolies,” said an orator during the action on Monday (15/6).
Furthermore, students highlighted the National Police Law, which they believe undermines Indonesia’s democratic system and was discussed abruptly.
“We invite all elements of civil society, academics, and students to conduct a judicial review of the problematic articles in the new Police Law at the Constitutional Court to save democratic space and prevent cyber repression,” they explained.
Additionally, students urged Bank Indonesia and the government to immediately formulate aggressive monetary policies to strengthen the rupiah exchange rate.
“Limit the dependence on secondary commodity imports to prevent a wave of layoffs in the industrial sector,” they stated.
Students also pressured the government to stabilise the prices of basic necessities, which continue to rise and place a heavy burden on the lower class.
“We urge the government to stop the liberalisation of subsidised fuel prices and guarantee the availability of essential goods at rational and affordable prices for the common people,” they concluded.
Separately, the Head of Operations for the Makassar City Police, AKBP Harry F. Aritonang, stated that the security for today’s protest involved approximately hundreds of personnel.
“A total of 766 personnel were deployed today,” Harry told CNNIndonesia.com.
Meanwhile, the Makassar City Police Chief, Kombes Pol Arya Perdana, reminded students to recognise their members and avoid being easily provoked during the demonstration.
“Be careful of parties that wish to provoke and intimidate. Be wary of infiltrators who intend to ruin the good intentions of the protesters,” Arya told CNNIndonesia.com.