Indonesia's deputy finance minister on Tuesday said the total budget funding the government is freeing up through efficiency measures remained unchanged at 306 trillion rupiah ($18.8 billion), after the president gave a much higher figure.

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 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.

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.

Indonesia’s future capital city will likely emerge unscathed with its budget intact even as a host of agencies see deep spending cuts to ensure more funding for President Prabowo Subianto’s signature social programs.

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 major Indonesian cities on Friday (February 21), staging 'Dark Indonesia' protests, opposing President Prabowo Subianto's policies including the $19 billion of spending cuts that they say undermine their support systems.

Thousands of Indonesians rallied nationwide Friday to protest budget cuts by President Prabowo Subianto's government aimed at funding a free-meal programme and other big-ticket campaign pledges. Analysts have said the cuts were likely to shift funds to programmes like the $4.