M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta – The government doesn’t need to be concerned about the massive demonstrations by students opposing planned fuel price hikes. Rather, the real danger will be if hungry people take to the streets.

Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – The political temperature in North Sumatra is steadily rising in the lead up to the election of regional heads that will be held on April 16. On Monday April 14, students burnt paraphernalia and photographs of the five gubernatorial candidates.

Rofiuddin, Semarang – Dozens of students from the National Student League for Democracy (LMND) held a protest action in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang today calling for the government to renegotiate its contract with Exxon Mobil. The protest on Jl. Pahlawan marched to the Central Java provincial government offices.

Jakarta – In the midst of the current decline in the popularity of national leaders, a potential for the emergence of new leaders is opening up.

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta – Dozens of students in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta held a demonstration on Tuesday March 20 condemning the US invasion of Iraq and demanding that US troops leave Iraq immediately.

Jakarta – Protesting government policy, around 200 students are planning a hunger strike in front of the State Palace – although they will not be doing anything dramatic like sewing their mouths shut.

Nasir Gabra, Lhokseumawe – A demonstration launched by hundreds of Malikussaleh Lhokseumawe University (Unimal) students almost ended in a clash with police when they pushed and shoved each other as students tried to break through the gates of the North Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Thursday February 2.

[The following is an abridged translation of a selection of articles from Detik.com which were posted on its web site between March 15-18.

[The following is an abridged translations of a selection of articles from Detik.com which were posted on its web site on February 28, the day before the Indonesian government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla (SBY-JK) took the highly unpopular decision cut fuel (BBM) subsides.]

Gunawan Mashar, Jakarta – For the umpteenth time, on Wednesday February 23 students from the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar have again hijacked fuel tankers. This time, after hijacking two kerosene tankers they drove them round and round the city.