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Students allege police brutality during Indonesia Gelap rallies
Students who joined the ongoing series of nationwide rallies protesting the government’s controversial policies and programs have accused police of using excessive force to disperse protesters in certain regions, with the East Java force opening an internal affairs probe into once such incident, captured on video.
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Students gesture during the Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia) rally, held at the East Java Regional House of Representatives in provincial capital Surabaya on Feb. 17, 2025, to oppose President Prabowo Subianto’s government efficiency policy. (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
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tudent protesters participating in the heated series of nationwide rally against President Prabowo Subianto's austerity-driven efficiency measure and other controversial policies, now in its ninth day, have accused the police of using excessive force.
Collectively called Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia), the simultaneous protests began in multiple major cities on Feb. 17 and continue to be held sporadically in several regions as of Tuesday, more than a week later.
Protesters, including students, have taken to the streets demanding the immediate revocation of a presidential decree issued on Jan. 22 that mandates ministries and other government institutions to cut Rp 306.7 trillion (US$18.7 billion) in total spending.
The funds are to be reallocated for initiatives such as the President’s flagship free nutritious meal program and the creation of the Danantara sovereign wealth fund.
In addition, the rallies call for a full evaluation of the free meals program, an end to the military’s growing involvement in civilian affairs and a downsized cabinet.
They have also voiced strong opposition to the continued influence of former president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the current administration.
Rallies in some regions have descended into chaos, including those in Jakarta and Makassar on Friday evening, when protesters threw firecrackers and Molotov cocktails at police officers who deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
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