Indonesia deploys hundreds of security staff ahead of Jakarta student protests

Hundreds of Indonesian security personnel ⁠were deployed on ⁠Wednesday in anticipation ⁠of student protests against several of President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, as well as his government’s handling of forest fires.

Students from the University of Indonesia ‌said they were set to stage protests in several spots in the capital Jakarta. They are calling on the government to declare the ongoing wildfires in Sumatra and Borneo a national disaster, and to halt spending ⁠on populist programmes such as Prabowo’s free meals scheme, among other ‌demands.

Wednesday’s protests carried the hashtag #IndonesiaAware, the students said. It is unclear how many students ‌will take to the streets.

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Indonesian firefighters celebrate as first rains bring relief to haze-hit regions

A heavy police and ⁠military ⁠presence, as well as armoured vehicles, could be seen in busy parts of ‌central Jakarta on Wednesday morning