Indonesia's fractured student movement losing power to effect change

Police fire tear gas at students demonstrating against proposals to extend the presidential term limit, in Jakarta on April 11. - AFP

JAKARTA, May 22 (Jakarta Post/ANN): Indonesia’s student movement is struggling to retain its role as an agent of change, as previously united fronts fragment and alliances with the governing elite are nurtured, not avoided.

Over the past five years, a number of student demonstrations have been staged in protest of state policies deemed detrimental to the welfare of the people and to democracy. However, these protests have either been ignored by policymakers or have been met with state violence.