Students to Stage Protest at Parliament Building Today

A number of students will stage a demonstration in front of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) building today. The protest, scheduled for 1:30 PM WIB, was announced via the Instagram account of the Trisakti University Student Presidency. Aisyah, Vice Chair of the Trisakti University Faculty of Industrial Technology Student Executive Body, confirmed the action, estimating that around 500 students from Trisakti, Undira, and Esa Unggul University will participate until approximately 2:30 PM. The protesters are voicing three main demands. The first is to restore economic and political conditions by lowering staple food and fuel prices, increasing the availability of subsidised fuel, and stopping wasteful state budget spending. The second demand calls for a temporary halt and total evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, along with improved government communication to the public. The third demand seeks the restoration of civilian supremacy, rejecting the Police Bill, freeing all political prisoners, stopping repressive actions by security forces and militarism in Eastern Indonesia and civilian spheres, and rejecting National Strategic Projects (PSN) that do not favour the people.