Indonesia students protest as Prabowo marks two years in office; 9,500 security personnel deployed
Students and environmental groups rallied in Jakarta and other cities over living costs, forest fires and civil liberties. A poll shows satisfaction with the president has fallen to 44.5% from 81.2% a year ago.
At a glance
- Students and activists protested in Jakarta and other cities on Tuesday, October 20, the second anniversary of President Prabowo Subianto's inauguration.
- Authorities deployed 9,505 security personnel in Jakarta, including 7,660 police and 1,540 soldiers.
- Protesters demanded forest and land fires be declared a national disaster and raised living costs, corruption, education fees and civil liberties.
- An SMRC survey found satisfaction with Prabowo's performance fell to 44.5% from 81.2% in November 2025.
Students took to the streets across Indonesia on Tuesday, October 20, the second anniversary of President Prabowo Subianto's inauguration, demanding action on rising prices, deadly forest fires and shrinking freedoms. Authorities deployed more than 9,500 security personnel in the capital, Jakarta.
The protests at a glance
| Date | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| Where | Jakarta and other major cities |
| Who | University students and environmental activists |
| Security in Jakarta | 9,505 personnel: 7,660 police, 1,540 soldiers, plus city staff |
| Incidents | Six activists removed from a monument; one person treated |
What protesters want
- Forest fires declared a national disaster — fires and toxic haze have again hit Indonesia and neighbouring countries this season.
- Action on living costs and economic inequality.
- An end to corruption.
- Lower education costs.
- Protection of civil liberties and space for criticism.
At the Tugu Tani monument, students called for the fire emergency to be recognised nationally. Fathimah Azzahra, vice-chair of the University of Indonesia's student executive board, set out demands on inequality, civic space, corruption and education. Environmental activists unfurled banners at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout linking the climate crisis to the cost of living.
Prabowo's falling ratings
| Survey | Result |
|---|---|
| SMRC, October 1–10, 2026 — satisfaction with Prabowo | 44.5% (down from 81.2% in November 2025) |
| Poltracking — satisfaction with the Prabowo–Gibran government | 55.3% |
Background
Prabowo, a former general and defence minister, took office on October 20, 2024, with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of former president Joko Widodo, as vice-president. He has pushed large spending programmes such as free school meals, while budget cuts elsewhere and rising prices have angered many. Large protests over lawmakers' perks turned deadly in August 2025, and student groups have remained a strong voice of opposition since.
Why it matters
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country and South-East Asia's biggest economy. Its forest fires send haze across Malaysia and Singapore, and political unrest affects investment and markets across the region. For Muslim-majority countries including Pakistan, Indonesia is a key partner in trade, palm oil and diplomacy.
The forest-fire crisis
Fires on Sumatra and Kalimantan, often started to clear land for plantations, have again produced haze this season, with smoke drifting into neighbouring countries such as Singapore. Students say the government has been too slow to act and want a national-disaster declaration, which would unlock emergency funds and central coordination.
What happens next
Student groups say protests will continue if their demands are ignored. The government is under pressure to respond on fires and prices before unrest grows.
Questions people are asking
Why are students protesting in Indonesia?
They are angry about rising living costs, forest fires and haze, corruption, education costs and shrinking civil liberties, and they want the fires declared a national disaster.
When did Prabowo become president of Indonesia?
Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated on October 20, 2024, with Gibran Rakabuming Raka as vice-president. October 20, 2026, marked two years in office.
How popular is Prabowo now?
An SMRC survey from October 1–10, 2026, found 44.5% satisfaction with his performance, down from 81.2% in November 2025. Another survey found 55.3% satisfied with the overall government.
