Indonesian students protest against state spending, fuel price hike

Hundreds of students took to the streets of Indonesia's capital on Friday to protest government policies they said could "bankrupt" the country.

The students were demanding President Prabowo Subianto stop what they called wasteful state spending and scrap his flagship free meals programme, which has been dogged by mass poisonings and allegations of corruption.

They were also protesting the government's decision to raise fuel prices, which will hurt the middle class.

Friday's protest comes amid rising public anger which has simmered for months over perceived mismanagement of the country. The local currency, the rupiah, has also recently slid to fresh lows.

"Fuel prices are going up, and our lives are getting harder," university student Zaki was heard shouting at police officers.

"Why are you afraid of student voices? They say demonstrations are guaranteed by the constitution? That's not happening today," he continued.

Pictures from the protest show policemen holding shields trying to stop the students as they marched towards the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, a Jakarta landmark.

Video from BBC Indonesian shows people then trying to push and kick their way through the police barricade. Some objects can also be seen being thrown into the air.