Indonesian police have used tear gas on crowds of protesters near two universities in Bandung, West Java province, amid ongoing nationwide protests targeting government spending and police brutality.
The protests have been fueled by anger over the death of a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver who was hit by a police car, as well as broader concerns about economic inequality and government accountability.
The use of tear gas on Tuesday near the Islamic University of Bandung (UNISBA) and Pasundan University has sparked widespread condemnation, with student groups accusing security forces of seeking to silence dissent.
Muhammad Ilham, a Pasundan student, reported that authorities fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets, hitting at least one student. The UNISBA student body accused security forces of “brutally attacking” the campus, causing breathing problems for some students.
The protests have resulted in at least eight deaths since last week, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
Police official Hendra Rochmawan claimed that authorities did not enter the campuses but tried to break up crowds of non-student protesters who had been seeking protection within the university grounds.
UNISBA rector Harits Nu’man confirmed that the campus had been used as a medical hub for protesters.
Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington, reporting from a crowd of motorbike taxi drivers in central Jakarta, described the scene as thousands of drivers gathered to honor their colleague who was killed.
“There are thousands of them. They say to demonstrate the power of peaceful assembly so they can honor their colleague, that they can call for their various demands, including economic inequality and do it peacefully,” Washington said.
The protests have also sparked concerns about the disappearance of protesters, with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) reporting that at least 20 people have gone missing in several cities.
University students have long been regarded as vanguards of Indonesia’s democracy, having played a key role in protests that helped topple President Soeharto in 1998. Current President Prabowo Subianto, a military leader under Soeharto, is facing the first major test of his leadership.
In response to the protests, Indonesians have taken to social media, adding pink and green hues to their profile pictures and using the hashtag #ResetIndonesia to outline their demands for the government.
The protests are expected to continue, with a coalition of women’s groups planning to stage a demonstration outside parliament in Jakarta.
The situation highlights the deep-seated concerns about government accountability and economic inequality in Indonesia. As the protests continue, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands of the protesters and address the underlying issues driving the unrest.
President Prabowo Subianto has met with labour unions and promised to discuss labour laws, but the protesters are demanding more concrete actions to address their concerns.