Student Protests Mark One-Year Anniversary of Prabowo-Gibran Administration in Jakarta

Protests Erupt on Administration's First Anniversary

Student groups in Jakarta staged protests on Monday, October 20, 2025, to mark the one-year anniversary of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's administration. The pair were inaugurated on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta. The demonstrations, primarily organized by the Alliance of Executive Boards of the Indonesian Student Senate (BEM SI) and the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI), gathered around the Arjuna Wijaya Statue area, also known as the Horse Statue, in Central Jakarta, and near the National Monument (Monas) and the presidential palace.

The Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police deployed 1,743 officers to secure the protests, emphasizing a humanistic approach and instructing personnel not to carry firearms unless the situation escalated. Approximately 300 students participated in the rally near the presidential palace.

Student Demands and Criticisms

The protests were themed 'Indonesia Is Anxious' ('Indonesia Cemas') and featured slogans such as '#1YearIsEnough' ('#1TahunCukup') and '#1YearOfContinualProblems' ('#1TahunMasalahBeruntun'). Students voiced a range of criticisms against the government's performance over its first year.

• A key demand was a thorough evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which students claimed faced serious implementation challenges, including reported food poisoning incidents, and served more as a 'political project' than a genuine public service.
• Protesters condemned what they described as 'repressive actions' by security forces against demonstrators, calling for the release of detained activists and an end to intimidation, violence, and criminalization targeting civilians, academics, and journalists.
• They urged a comprehensive evaluation of the Red and White Cabinet and the dismissal of ministers deemed underperforming, particularly those responsible for the environment, energy and mineral resources, human rights, and forestry.
• Other demands included halting the environmentally damaging food estate project, dissolving territorial military commands, and strengthening legislative reforms such as the Asset Seizure Bill, Household Card Bill, and Indigenous People's Legal Community Bill.
• Concerns were also raised about a 'massive erosion of human rights' and a 'deepening disregard for human rights' under the current administration, alongside a perceived lack of government openness and public participation.

Government's Perspective on First-Year Achievements

Despite student discontent, government officials highlighted various achievements during the first year of the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that 'tangible progress' had been made through programs directly impacting citizens' lives.

Key initiatives cited include the disbursement of Rp30 trillion (US$12 billion) in direct cash assistance to 35.4 million low-income households. Flagship programs like the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, Free Health Screening (CKG) program, and Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) scheme were also emphasized. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted that Indonesia's economic fundamentals had strengthened, with a 5.12 percent GDP growth and inflation contained at 2.6 percent. President Prabowo Subianto has also defended the free meals program and pledged improvements in education and medical care, with an ambitious target of achieving 8 percent economic growth.

In contrast to the student protests, a survey by the Indonesian Social Survey (ISS) indicated a 78 percent public satisfaction rate with the government's performance, though household economic conditions were acknowledged as a continuing challenge.