Jakarta, Indonesia – About 1,500 Indonesian students marched in the capital city on June 12, 2026, to protest against government economic policies amid mounting financial strain. The students voiced their concerns as the country’s economy faces growing challenges tied to global supply chain disruptions and rising costs of living.
The demonstrators gathered after Friday prayers, wearing yellow university jackets. They moved toward the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle near Jakarta’s central monument. There they expressed five main demands focused on economic relief. These included calls to lower fuel and food prices, which have surged recently and put pressure on ordinary citizens.
The protestors also criticized welfare programs they described as costly and inefficient. Specific attention fell on President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiatives like the free meals program and village cooperative projects. The students labeled some programs as wasteful and urged the government to reconsider public spending priorities.
Organizers said some students were stopped from joining the protest by police and military officials. Tensions escalated when several protesters tried to break through police lines and metal barricades, leading to scuffles. Authorities had deployed around 6,000 police officers and soldiers to manage the demonstration.
Indonesia’s government has maintained stable fuel prices despite spikes in global energy costs linked to ongoing conflicts such as the war involving the US and Israel against Iran. However, the prolonged economic pressure has weakened Indonesia’s currency, pushing the rupiah to an all-time low of 18,000 per US dollar earlier this month, compared to 16,000 in March. This week, the government announced a 32 percent increase in fuel prices, which fueled public anger.
Student spokesperson Rafael Arreva highlighted concerns over government spending. He pointed to the free meals program, which aims to tackle poverty and malnutrition but has recently been marred by corruption scandals. Prabowo fired the program’s head in early June following investigations. Rafael said the wasteful spending forced the government to cut back subsidies that families rely on.
Another demand from protesters focused on reducing military involvement in civilian matters. They viewed the military’s expanding role as a threat to Indonesia’s democratic progress since it transitioned from authoritarian rule decades ago.
Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan, chair of the organizing student group, told reporters that the government ignored the current economic reality. He urged President Prabowo to recognize these challenges honestly and stop denying the severity of the situation.
Indonesia experienced large-scale protests last August, with demonstrators pushing for housing reforms. Those events led to confrontations that resulted in at least 13 deaths.
The latest protests highlight continuing frustrations among young Indonesians facing rising costs and doubts about government policies during a difficult economic period. The administration faces increasing pressure to respond to these demands as the country navigates a complex global and domestic financial environment.
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