Indonesia student protests spark nationwide rallies and government response

From mid‑June 2026, thousands of students and civil groups staged demonstrations in Jakarta, Surabaya and other cities across Indonesia, demanding higher living standards, lower fuel prices, an end to subsidies, and a review of the free‑meal (MBG) program. The protests prompted the police to deploy over 4,500 personnel to secure multiple rally sites, including around the National Monument, the parliament complex and the Ministry of Finance.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka met representatives from universities such as UBK and MH Thamrin at the Vice‑President’s palace, saying, "I will convey the demands to President Prabowo" and giving the students a five‑day deadline to see action, otherwise more rallies would follow. The meetings resulted in promises to audit and consolidate government programs, especially MBG and the Red‑White Village Cooperatives.

Former activist Budiman Sudjatmiko, now a government minister, also faced criticism from students who labelled former opposition figures as betrayers of the original struggle. Officials emphasized dialogue and a humane approach to policing the demonstrations.