Jakarta: Indonesia has deployed hundreds of security personnel across the capital ahead of student protests over the government’s handling of forest fires and Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia’s policies.
Students from the University of Indonesia have announced plans to demonstrate at several locations in Jakarta. Protesters are demanding that the government declare the ongoing wildfires in Sumatra and Borneo a national disaster.
Students are also calling for an end to spending on populist programmes, including Prabowo’s free meals scheme. The demonstrations are being organised under the hashtag #IndonesiaAware, although the expected number of participants remains unclear.
A heavy police and military presence was visible in busy parts of central Jakarta on October 28, with armoured vehicles positioned in the area. The deployment reflects authorities preparations for possible unrest as students prepare to raise concerns about environmental management and government priorities.
The protests follow demonstrations in fire-affected areas of Sumatra and Borneo. Students gathered in Central Kalimantan last week to criticise the authorities handling of the fires and the resulting haze. The wildfires have raised concerns about air quality and public health, with smoke affecting communities across the region.
The President’s approval ratings have also been under pressure. Surveys conducted by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) indicate that public support for the president has declined steadily since late 2025, around 2 years into the presidency. The student demonstrations add to the challenges facing the administration as criticism grows over its policies and response to the fires.
Indonesia has experienced several rounds of protests in recent months. Hundreds of people were detained during a major demonstration in August, while students staged further rallies last week. The latest mobilisation comes amid wider dissatisfaction with government spending and the handling of environmental problems.
The country also witnessed weeks of nationwide protests in 2025 after police killed a motorcycle taxi driver. The unrest spread across Indonesia and resulted in several additional deaths. The earlier demonstrations highlighted public anger over police conduct and broader political concerns.
The latest protests are taking place as Indonesia continues to face pressure to address the forest fires affecting Sumatra and Borneo. Students want the government to recognise the scale of the crisis through a national disaster declaration and reconsider spending priorities. With the number of people expected to participate still uncertain, security forces remain deployed across Jakarta as authorities prepare for the demonstrations.
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