The week-long protest is driven by popular discontent with President Prabowo Subianto's drastic and inconsistent budget austerity measures.

The "Dark Indonesia” rally saw thousands of students march in central Jakarta to protest budget cuts. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Thousands of students staged 'Dark Indonesia' protests in cities across the country on Thursday against budget cuts and other policies of President Prabowo Subianto, fearing they will undermine social support systems and their futures.

Students in several Indonesian cities have taken to the streets to protest after Prabowo's government slashed budgets for civil servants and introduced policies that they deemed "not pro-people".

Students rallied in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities on Thursday to protest President Prabowo Subianto’s state budget revamp that has threatened contractual workers’ jobs, rolled back scholarships and dimmed lighting at government offices.

Thousands of students took to the streets in cities across the country this week, decrying what they call Indonesia Gelap or “Dark Indonesia” and marking the first concerted resistance to the policies of Prabowo Subianto since the former general became president four months ago.

Hundreds of students and activists rallied in some major cities for more "Dark Indonesia" protests on Friday, opposing President Prabowo Subianto's policies including $19 billion of spending cuts that they say undermine their support systems.