Protests have swept Indonesia over rising living costs, forest fires and civil liberties as President Prabowo Subianto marks two years in office, with demonstrators demanding government action…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Student protests have erupted across Indonesia over rising living costs, forest fires and economic concerns, with demonstrators criticising President Prabowo Subianto’s policies on the second anniversary of his administration.
Protests took place in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bandung in West Java on Tuesday, as students and civil society groups raised concerns about economic pressures, environmental damage and restrictions on civil liberties, The Jakarta Post reported.
In Jakarta, hundreds of university students gathered near the Tugu Tani monument, demanding action on rising living costs and the government’s handling of forest and peatland fires. The fires have generated toxic haze, disrupted flights, forced school closures and raised public health concerns.
Demonstrators called on the government to declare the prolonged fires a national disaster and prosecute companies suspected of causing environmental damage. They also demanded stronger action against corruption, more affordable education and healthcare, and better protection for freedom of expression.
According to RT, protesters also set a police truck on fire during the unrest.
Indonesia has struggled to contain forest fires across Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua amid an unusually severe dry season linked to El Niño. The resulting haze has spread to neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, raising concerns about regional air quality and public health.
Amid the demonstrations, Presidential Chief of Staff General Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the President had chaired a limited meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday to discuss accelerating efforts to tackle forest and land fires.
In a post on X, Listyo said the President had instructed authorities to strengthen aerial operations and improve coordination between the Indonesian National Armed Forces, National Police, National Disaster Management Agency, local governments and communities.
The President also called for investigations into 98 corporate cases suspected of being linked to forest and land fires to be expedited. Listyo said his office would oversee the government’s response and ensure law enforcement proceedings were evidence-based and conducted in accordance with applicable regulations.
Separately, Greenpeace Indonesia activists climbed the Welcome Monument at Jakarta’s Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Tuesday and unfurled large banners protesting what they described as the government’s failure to address persistent wildfires, The Jakarta Post reported.
