Indonesia prepares for fresh protests as anger over fires and the economy grows
Authorities plan to deploy about 9,500 police officers in Jakarta as students prepare protests marking President Prabowo Subianto’s second year in office, following demonstrations over forest fires and worsening haze.
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In a Nutshell
- October 5–8: Students and residents protested in South Sumatra and Jambi, demanding stronger firefighting efforts, transparency over disaster spending and action against companies allegedly responsible for illegal burning.
- In Jambi, police used a water cannon after protesters blocked a road and damaged a gate outside the governor’s office.
- October 13: Hundreds of students rallied in Riau, while a protest in Palembang turned violent, leaving journalists, students and a police officer injured. Demonstrators demanded accountability for the fires and a stronger government response.
- October 15–16: Protests spread to two towns in Central Kalimantan. Residents and volunteer firefighters called for water-bombing helicopters, healthcare support and a national disaster declaration.
- October 20: The protests are taking on a broader focus as Prabowo marks two years in office. University of Indonesia students said their planned demonstration would address both the forest fires and economic concerns, including falling stocks and a weakening rupiah. Police announced plans to deploy about 9,500 officers across Jakarta.
Context
The demonstrations began amid frustration over months of fires and smoke disrupting health, schooling and livelihoods. An El Niño-driven drought has left forests and peatlands highly flammable, while protesters have questioned both the speed of the response and the handling of firefighting funds. As of the October 16 report, the government had not declared the fires a national disaster, although the newly appointed chief of the disaster agency said it would assess the possibility. The October 20 demonstrations bring those environmental grievances together with wider dissatisfaction over the economy.