Some 1,500 Indonesian students took to the streets of Jakarta on Friday to protest against a series of economic policies by President Prabowo Subianto's government, as Southeast Asia's largest economy faces mounting fiscal pressures amid a global supply chain crisis.

Demonstrators outlined five key demands, including lowering fuel and food prices. They also urged the government to roll back state welfare programs they consider expensive and wasteful, such as Prabowo's flagship free meals and village cooperative initiatives.

Dubbed the "Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia" protests, students in yellow university jackets marched after Friday prayers to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. Organizers reported that some protesters were blocked by police and military, leading to scuffles as students tried to break through barricades. Some 6,000 police and soldiers were deployed.

The government had kept fuel prices unchanged despite global energy spikes and supply disruptions from the US and Israel's war on Iran. However, economic pressures have weakened the currency, with the rupiah hitting a historic low of 18,000 per US dollar in June. This week, the government introduced a 32% price hike, sparking anger.

Protesters also called for more targeted spending. The $15-billion-a-year free meals program has been subject to a corruption probe, with Prabowo firing its head in early June. Student Rafael Arreva said, "Wasteful spending on free meals has led to a fiscal situation where subsidies initially provided had been withdrawn."

Demonstrators demanded an end to the expanding role of the military in government, calling it a threat to democracy. "The government is in denial about the current situation," said organizer Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan. "We urge Prabowo to acknowledge his mistake." Indonesia last saw mass protests in August, which left at least 13 people dead.

Source: www.aljazeera.com