21 May 2008 - Thousands of demonstrators have protested against the planned fuel price hikes this afternoon. Most of the demonstrators had gathered in front of the Presidential Merdeka palace in Jakarta. Another favorite place for the demonstrators was in front of the main government building in Jakarta. The demonstrators demanded that the government agreed with a list of seven demands they made, one of them was not raising the fuel prices. They also demanded lower food prices and free health care and education.

This afternoon thousands of demonstrators have gathered in front of ‘Istana Merdeka’ in Jakarta. Among the demonstrators were teachers and other elements from the Indonesian society. Students from all over the greater Jakarta area, which are united in ‘Forum Kota’ (City Forum), were also represented.

At a certain point the students were involved in a riot with the police because they were trying to open up the road in front of the palace after it was closed down for some time. The students on the other hand demanded that the road stayed closed for as long as the demonstration lasted. Two students were arrested for inciting the riot against the police, but the road was still blocked by students and other demonstrators after the riot.