#Indonesia: Budget cuts spark nationwide student protests and violence Students staged 100 demonstrations across 30 provinces in February against President Prabowo Subianto’s budget cuts to health and education, the highest protest levels since August 2024. In Papua, students demanded free education instead of free meals, citing safety concerns over government-provided food. While most protests were peaceful, violence erupted in 14 demonstrations, with state forces using live bullets and tear gas in Papua. Nearly 80 students were arrested, and several were injured. Amid the unrest, the West Papua National Liberation Army launched attacks on military bases in Central Papua, burned down two schools, and threatened further violence if the free lunch program continued. Read the full analysis in the latest Asia-Pacific Regional Overview: https://lnkd.in/dHykuAwh
