Hundreds of students and activists have taken to the streets of central Jakarta, demanding the resignation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka over what they describe as two years of government failures.
The demonstrators gathered near the Tugu Tani monument on Tuesday, carrying banners, waving flags and displaying a mock coffin labelled “Justice” as they called for accountability and political change.
The protesters criticised the administration’s handling of government programmes, environmental challenges and widespread forest and land fires, which have contributed to hazardous haze across Southeast Asia.
Student demonstrator Dimas accused the government of failing to address key national concerns, arguing that the president and vice president should step down or be removed from office.
Indonesia has experienced extensive forest and land fires this year, with nearly 900,000 hectares reportedly burned since January. Dry conditions associated with El Niño and land-clearing practices have contributed to the fires, sending smoke and haze into neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.
The pollution has disrupted daily life across the region, affecting air quality, disrupting flights and forcing some schools to close.
The demonstration coincided with the second anniversary of Prabowo and Gibran taking office on October 20, 2024. Although the government has intensified firefighting operations, its response to the environmental crisis continues to draw criticism from protesters and activists.