Makassar Students Protest, Demand MBG Transparency and Cabinet Restructuring

Students from the State Islamic University (UIN) Alauddin Makassar, South Sulawesi, demonstrated to demand the Prabowo-Gibran administration carry out restructuring for cabinet efficiency and cut unproductive bureaucratic spending posts in order to safeguard the state budget posture for the people’s welfare. The protest was held under a flyover at the intersection of Jalan Urip Sumoharjo and Jalan AP Pettarani, where students blocked road access by commandeering a container truck used as a platform for speeches and burning used tyres. In their action, the students highlighted various policies of President Prabowo Subianto which they deemed not pro-people, including the free nutritious meal programme. ‘We urge public information transparency regarding the MBG budget. We demand the full involvement of local farmers and regional SMEs to prevent corporate monopolies,’ an orator said on Monday (15/6). The students also criticised the Police Law, which they believe damages Indonesia’s democratic system and was discussed suddenly. ‘We call on all elements of civil society, academics and students to conduct a judicial review of problematic articles in the new Police Law at the Constitutional Court to save democratic space and prevent the danger of cyber repression,’ he explained. Additionally, the students urged Bank Indonesia and the government to immediately formulate aggressive monetary policies to strengthen the rupiah exchange rate. ‘Limit dependence on secondary commodity imports to prevent a wave of layoffs in the industrial sector,’ he said. The students also pressed the government to immediately stabilise the prices of basic necessities, which continue to rise and heavily burden ordinary people. ‘We urge the government to stop the liberalisation of subsidised fuel prices and guarantee the availability of basic necessities at rational and affordable prices for ordinary people,’ he concluded. Separately, Makassar Police Operations Chief AKBP Harry F Aritonang said security for the day’s protest involved around hundreds of personnel. ‘The number of personnel deployed today is 766,’ Harry said. Meanwhile, Makassar Police Chief Kombes Pol Arya Perdana reminded students to recognise each of their members during the protest and not be easily provoked. ‘Be careful of parties who want to provoke and intimidate. Beware of infiltrators who want to ruin the good intentions of the protesters,’ Arya said.