Surabaya – Hundreds of students from the November Ten Institute of Technology (ITS), the Airlangga University (Unair) and several other higher education institutions in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya held a demonstration in front of the City Square on Tuesday afternoon November 10.
During the action, the students voiced various concerns that they believe have not received serious attention from the government. The issues raised included environmental degradation, taxation matters, the high cost of basic necessities and freedom of expression.
Observations at the location found that police officers began taking up positions around the Surabaya City Square area at 3.15 pm. Personnel were stationed at several points to oversee the demonstration and ensure the peaceful expression of aspirations.
An interesting scene unfolded before the protesters arrived. Several policewomen (polwan) unfurled a banner containing a welcoming message for the demonstrators.
The banner read, "Welcome, crusaders of aspirations. Please express your opinions in an orderly manner, we are here to serve".
At around 3.30 pm the group of students held a long march from the Airlangga University Campus B area on Jalan Dharmahusada toward the fountain in front of the Surabaya City Square.
Upon arriving, the crowd gathered and took turns delivering speeches. They levelled criticisms regarding various social, economic and environmental issues that they believe require government attention.
The students' concerns were also contained in the leaflets they brought. One message highlighted the connection between forest destruction, the management of tax revenue and the suffering endured by the public as a result of natural disasters.
"When forests are cut down, you pocket the people's tax money. When we are devastated, struck by floodwaters, you dance around, without direction", read an excerpt from the leaflet.
Through the message, the students criticised a situation they see as demonstrating a disparity between the suffering of the public versus the government's response to various problems.
Aside from environmental issues and tax management, they also highlight the economic pressures being felt by the public. The students even pointed to the high cost of daily necessities, including the price of sanitary pads, to illustrate the heavy financial burden people face.
"Strangled... I'm being choked every day. Whether it's from the smoke that blankets everything, whether it's from thinking about the price of sanitary pads while my pockets are nearly empty", they wrote.
Other criticisms focused on the issue of freedom of expression. The students voiced concerns regarding a situation where people do not feel free to express their opinions or access information because they are haunted by accusations from the state.
The leaflets also carried a message of resistance against oppression and repressive actions. The students asserted that economic restrictions or threats to personal safety should not deter the struggle to voice their aspirations.
"What remains is a small spark of spirit, kept alive and passed on from one point to another", read an excerpt from the leaflet.
In the concluding section, the students employed metaphorical language to underscore their resolve in confronting injustice. They declared their commitment to sustaining the spirit of resistance and continuing to voice criticism against those perceived to be perpetrating oppression.
The action in front of the Surabaya City Square served as a platform for students to articulate various concerns regarding social, economic and environmental issues and democracy.
In the middle of the protest action, the preparations by police officers on high alert shaped the atmosphere at the scene. Meanwhile a banner unfurled by several policewomen before the demonstrators' arrival became one of the points that drew attention.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Ratusan Mahasiswa Gelar Demo di Alun-Alun Surabaya, Kritik Pajak hingga Kerusakan Lingkungan".]
