The protesters also criticised Indonesia’s decision in late September to cut energy subsidies from 376.8 trillion rupiah this year to 261 trillion rupiah next year.
“The subsidy cut came as many are reeling from ballooning petrol prices and the scarcity of subsidised fuel because of the tensions in the Middle East,” said 20-year-old Diana from University of Indonesia, who asked to be identified only by her first name.
“It also came as the government decided to earmark more money into wasteful programmes like the free meal initiative and village cooperatives,” she said.
Wednesday’s protest coincided with Indonesia’s Youth Pledge Day, which commemorates a declaration of unity in 1928 by young Indonesians that defined the national identity.
It was met with heavy security presence, stopping students from reaching their rendezvous point at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, a favoured demonstration site.
Students told CNA that they had initially planned on marching from the roundabout to the Presidential Palace some 3km away. Instead the blockade caused the students to scatter at various locations in Jakarta.
“(Authorities) have no right to stop us from getting where we need to go and exercising our freedom of expression,” said Tigor, 23, from Pancasila University, who also asked to to be identified by his first name.
