Protesters Clash with Police Over Fuel Prices and Free Meal Scheme in Surabaya
Quick Look
- Around 100 people protested fuel price hikes and a free meals scheme in Surabaya, Indonesia.
- Demonstrators threw rocks and set fires, leading to dozens of arrests by police.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Protesters gathered in Surabaya to demonstrate against a fuel price increase and a government free meals scheme. The demonstration led to clashes with police and arrests.
Around 100 people gathered near a government building in Surabaya on Friday, journalists on the scene estimated, to protest a fuel price increase and Prabowo’s flagship free meals scheme.
Some demonstrators hurled rocks towards police and set fire to rubbish in the middle of the road, prompting officers to arrest them, the reporters said.
Fatkul Khoir, a coordinator at rights group KontraS Surabaya, said on Saturday that 24 protesters were arrested.
Police questioned them until 3.30am on Saturday but did not charge them, he said.
Surabaya police chief Luthfie Sulistiawan told reporters late on Friday that officers had taken “firm actions” to push back protesters after some threw projectiles.
He said there had been “dozens” of arrests but did not specify the number.
Open Questions
- What specific fuel price increase triggered the protest?
- What are the details of Prabowo's free meals scheme?
- What are the long-term implications of the arrests?
