Thousands of young Indonesians have taken to the streets in Jakarta and other cities, protesting against corruption, economic mismanagement, and costly government projects under President Prabowo Subianto.

In recent weeks, thousands of young people in Indonesia have staged protests in Jakarta and other cities, expressing their dissatisfaction with President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. The demonstrators, many of whom fear the country is heading toward bankruptcy, have criticized the government for a weakened currency, rising prices, and expensive large-scale projects. A manager interviewed by ‘Nikkei Asia’ described the situation as a ‘crisis of confidence.’

The protests come amid broader economic challenges, including the fallout from the Iran conflict, which has exacerbated the country’s financial struggles. The government recently abandoned efforts to shield citizens from rising oil prices, leading to a more than 30% increase in the cost of unsubsidized gasoline, heavily impacting the middle class. Indonesia’s stock market has lost about a third of its value, and the national currency, the Rupiah, has depreciated by over 8%, making it one of the worst-performing markets in Southeast Asia this year.

One of the key points of criticism is President Prabowo’s flagship free school meals program, which was launched over two years ago and costs $15 billion. While it aims to benefit over 60 million children and pregnant women, critics have labeled it inefficient and poorly managed, with thousands of children reportedly suffering from food poisoning. Corruption allegations have further marred the initiative, including the arrest of Dadan Hindayana, head of the National Food Agency overseeing the program. Additionally, demonstrators have accused the president of adopting an autocratic leadership style, citing increased military influence in civilian affairs and pressure on political opponents. Amnesty International has also reported instances of disinformation campaigns targeting activists and journalists, as well as human rights abuses, including a high-profile acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus earlier this year.