Jakarta - A series of rallies have been conducting in recent days in many cities across Indonesia, demanding the government to stabilize basic needs prices, stop top priority programs such as the free nutritious meal (MBG) program, and reducing tax, with students and civil society groups partake in those demonstrations, including one of them in Jakarta on Thursday, 18 June 2026 led by women.
The rally was initiated by several women groups, including the Indonesia's Women Alliance, and the women rallied wearing house dresses as well as carrying kitchen appliences and banners, chanting: "Reduce Basic Needs Prices! Stop the MBG!"
Police tried to stop protesters to reach their main rally location near the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta, while a day earlier nicer treatment for those who staged supporting the MBG program that police had given them breads and water.
(A woman carries traditional tray, locally know as nyiru, with message states "Our kitchens are not only statistic!! Reduce basic needs prices immediately!" (Photo/X/Lambe Saham))
There were three main demands called by those women - reduce basic needs and staple foods prices; stop the MBG program; and create jobs for the people of Indonesia.
The free nutritious meals (MBG) program is among President Prabowo Subianto's priority programs, and for that program, the President has given mandate to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to implement it.
(Women carry banners written "Fuel Price Hikes, the MBG Continue" and "Thiefs Masked as Nutritious" (Photo/X/Swan))
(Banners say "Protest is right! Stop repressing and criminalizing people movement" and "Reducing Prices! Creating Jobs! Stop the MBG!" during women led rally in Jakarta against government policies on Thursday, 18 June 2026 (Photo/X/Swan))
