7 Students Injured in Protest against Fuel Price Hike

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinator of the National Association of University Student Executive Bodies (BEM SI), Muhammad Yuza, said seven students were injured allegedly due to excessive force and police brutality during a protest against the increase in subsidized fuel prices at the Horse Statue in Jakarta on Thursday, September 15.

“We became victims of [police] repression, seven people were injured. It was said that students voicing their rejections would be given security, in fact, they were not guarded,” Yuza told reporters at the rally’s location.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Sr. Comr. Komarudin denied the students' accusations, asserting that none had fallen victim to the repressive actions of the apparatus.

“None. We make sure there isn't any victim. Pushing others and getting pushed is normal during a rally,” said Komarudin.

“The point is, voicing opinions is not silenced. Expressing opinions is allowed in the public, but there are restrictions on location, time, and so on,” he added. Protesters are also asked to anticipate provocateurs that could ruin the demonstrations.

Today’s protests against the increase in subsidized fuel prices in the Horse Statue area near National Monument or Monas turned into chaos. Students who are members of BEM SI were pushed back by the police. They also destroyed the barbed wire and concrete barricades installed by the police.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI

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