Students Demonstrate in Bandung, Highlighting Rupiah Weakness and Fuel Prices

A number of university students from various institutions in West Java staged a protest in front of the West Java Regional House of Representatives building on Jalan Diponegoro, Bandung, on Thursday afternoon. The combined student body demonstrated to voice the hardships currently burdening the Indonesian people. Based on observations at the scene, the protesters carried numerous banners and posters criticising the policies of the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka administration. Several issues related to the economy were raised, including fuel prices, the free nutritious meal programme, and the weak exchange rate of the rupiah. They also criticised the ratification of the Police Law, which extends the retirement age for police officers, allows postings to other institutions, and lengthens the term of the National Police chief. Despite voicing harsh criticism, the demonstration proceeded in an orderly and peaceful manner under the escort of police officers. The students also demanded the fulfilment of agrarian reform pledges. “We want to urge the state to realise true agrarian reform and national industrialisation as a way out of the many oppressions we experience. Among our demands, we first hope for a halt to the free nutritious meal programme, a total stop, because it clearly wastes a great deal of state budget that has already been spent,” said Ainul Mardhyah, Coordinator of the Greater Bandung National Student Front, on the sidelines of the protest. She stated that, besides being a waste of state funds, the programme has reportedly caused several children and residents to suffer food poisoning. The protest also aimed to push the government to immediately lower fuel prices. The students argued that Indonesians have the right to cheap and affordable transportation access, especially amid rising prices of various staple goods. It was noted that on Wednesday, the government raised the price of non-subsidised fuel. Khallid Syhaeful, President of the UPI Student Executive Board, said the protest was born from the same anxiety among students regarding the nation’s condition, which is perceived to be facing various serious problems. “Today our first goal is to discuss the issues that are currently prominent in society,” said Khallid. Besides conveying their aspirations, the students also wanted to show that anxiety over the country’s condition is not only felt by a small group but also by many elements of society. According to Khallid, the demands brought by the students were the result of consolidation with various campuses and community elements. From the various inputs received, these issues converged on three main sectors.