1 day ago
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February 20, 2025 | 03:24 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of students in Yogyakarta take to the streets on Thursday, February 20, 2025, protesting against various policies adopted by President Prabowo Subianto.
The protest, which began around 11:30 a.m. local time, completely shut down Malioboro, causing police to redirect traffic away from the area.
According to Tempo's observations, the demonstration, centered around the Abu Bakar Ali Parking Park, Malioboro Street, and the Zero Kilometer Point, saw students from various universities and members of the Jogja Memanggil group dressed in all-black outfits.
The dress code symbolized pessimism and disappointment about Indonesia's future under the Prabowo-Gibran regime along with their Red and White Cabinet.
The protesters condemned a range of Prabowo’s policies on the economy, education, social issues, and politics, carrying posters such as “Free Meals, Education Crisis,” “RIP=Republic of Patriarchy,” and “Don't Let the Military Handle Your Kitchen!”
Some students also carried signs criticizing government spending, including one that read, “Saving Budget, But Retreats Spent Over Rp11 Billion—What a Waste!”
The Jogja Memanggil group called for Prabowo and Gibran’s resignation and the dissolution of the Red and White Cabinet, accusing their policies of being erratic and against the people's interests.
The protest also highlighted Prabowo's controversial remarks during the Gerindra Party's anniversary on February 15, 2025, where he responded with “Ndasmu!” (meaning "your head" in English, which is intended to insult or mock) to criticism against his free nutritious meal policy for schoolchildren.
The protesters criticized the Red and White Cabinet as the "fattest" cabinet in Indonesian history and raised concerns over President Jokowi’s involvement in the 2024 election, supporting Prabowo-Gibran.
The protesters also took issue with Prabowo's past, including his involvement in the 1998 activist abductions and the Balibo Incident in East Timor, as well as his connection to former President Soeharto’s authoritarian regime. They viewed Prabowo’s “Ndasmu!” comment as an unforgivable insult to the Indonesian people.
The group claimed that Prabowo's government, in its first 100 days, has already caused suffering for the people, pointing to cuts in vital ministry budgets, increased prices of basic goods, fuel and gas shortages, and land grabs for national strategic projects.
Although the protest attracted a large crowd and paralyzed Malioboro, it remained peaceful, with shops and informal businesses continuing as usual. The Yogyakarta Police stationed nearly 500 officers to maintain order and prevent disruptions.
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