Indonesia Deploys 9,000 Police as Protests Mark Two Years of Prabowo Presidency

POLICY WIRE — Jakarta, Indonesia — Authorities in Jakarta have mobilized more than 9,000 police officers on Tuesday to manage demonstrations coinciding with the two-year anniversary of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. The security surge follows a notable decline in the president’s public approval ratings.

City police spokesperson Budi Hermanto confirmed that approximately 9,500 personnel have been assigned to monitor various locations across the capital. These measures come as student groups, including those from the University of Indonesia, prepare to voice grievances regarding recent forest fires and volatility in the stock market.

Student organizers have characterized the current market instability and the weakening rupiah as clear indicators of national economic fragility. While the exact number of participants remains uncertain, the demonstrations highlight growing public frustration with the government’s trajectory.

Environmental activists from Greenpeace also joined the dissent, displaying a banner at a prominent Jakarta monument calling for urgent action on the climate crisis and the rising cost of living. These protests occur against a backdrop of shifting political sentiment since Prabowo, a retired general, assumed office on Oct 20, 2024.

Data from Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) indicates a steady erosion of support for the president. His approval rating has dropped to 44.5 percent this month, a significant decline from the 81.2 percent recorded in November of last year.

The administration is currently struggling to regain the trust of investors and the public, who have expressed concerns over the economic consequences of various populist programs. The nation has seen periodic unrest throughout the year, including major demonstrations in August that resulted in hundreds of detentions.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)