Nationwide Protests Erupt in Indonesia Against Prabowo's Budget Cuts

Nationwide 'Dark Indonesia' protests erupted on February 20, as thousands of students demonstrated against President Prabowo Subianto's budget cuts, fearing they could undermine vital social support systems and threaten their futures. The protests, held in major cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Medan, were fueled by concerns regarding the impact of a $19 billion cost-cutting measure on education and government services. Students demanded a review of Prabowo's policies, including a controversial $30 billion free meal program, amid rising discontent since his election four months ago. While Prabowo's administration insists that education funding remains untouched, protesters expressed skepticism and called for accountability in government spending. Political analysts suggest that if these issues are not addressed, they could jeopardize Prabowo's high approval ratings. In response, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, chair of the National Economic Council, urged citizens to focus on the positive developments in Indonesia rather than its challenges.