Makassar – Students from the Alauddin Makassar State Islamic University (UIN) in South Sulawesi have demonstrated demanding that the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka carry out restructuring for cabinet efficiency and cut unproductive bureaucratic spending items in order to save the posture of the state budget (APBN) for the benefit of the people.
During the protest action, which was held under the flyover on Jalan Urip Sumoharjo and Jalan AP Pettarani, the students blocked road access by high jacking a container truck which was used as a place to deliver speeches and the burning of used tyres.
At the action the students highlighted President Prabowo's policies which are considered not to be pro-people, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
"[We are] urging public information disclosure regarding the MBG budget. Demanding the full involvement of local farmers and regional UMKMs [micro- small- and medium-enterprises] to prevent corporate monopoly", said a speaker at the action on Monday June 15.
Then the students also highlighted the recently revised National Police Law (UU Polri) which is considered to damage the democratic system in Indonesia and was discussed and enacted suddenly.
"We invite all elements of civil society, academics and students to carry out a material review of problematic articles in the new UU Polri at the MK [Constitutional Court] in order to safeguard democratic space and the dangers of cyber repression", they explained.
In addition to this, the students also urged Bank Indonesia and the government to immediately formulate an aggressive monetary policy to strengthen the rupiah exchange rate.
"Limiting dependence on imports of secondary commodities to prevent a storm of layoffs in the industrial sector", they said.
The students also urged the government to immediately stabilise the prices of basic commodities, which continue to experience price increases, thereby placing a huge burden on ordinary people.
"Urging the government to stop the liberalisation of subsidised BBM [fuel] prices and ensure the availability of basic necessities at rational and affordable prices for the common people", they concluded.
Separately, Makassar Metropolitan District Police (Polrestabes) Operational Division Head Assistant Superintendent Harry F Aritonang said that security for today's protest action involved around one hundred personnel.
"The number of personnel deployed today was 766 personnel", Aritonang told CNN Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Makassar Metropolitan District Police Chief Senior Commissioner Arya Perdana reminded students holding demonstrations to be able to recognise each member and not be easily provoked.
"Be careful of those who want to provoke and intimidate. Be careful of infiltrators who want to damage the good intentions of the protesters", Perdana said when speaking to CNN Indonesia. (mir/wis)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Demo di Makassar, Mahasiswa Usung Tuntutan soal MBG hingga Kabinet".]
