section_path: Protests/Maluku Islands
section_name: Maluku Islands
paragraph_text: Maluku Islands
  
  In Ambon, students from the State Islamic Institute of Ambon (IAIN Ambon), with their almamaters, protested in front of the Maluku DPRD building. The students rejected the free meal program and demanded the Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 repealed while stating what Indonesia needs is free education.
  
  In Ternate, hundreds of students gathered in front off the Ternate mayor office building and protested the free meal program by the government. The students laid out several demands such as free education, to repeal the Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025, allowances for teachers and university lecturers, as well as local issues such as demanding 50% reserved employment quota for women in the city government, rejecting land reclamation program in the city, and concern about the city's piped water infrastructure. The protest later turned violent with two journalists reportedly assaulted by the city's Municipal Police. The next day on 25 February 2025, journalists and media workers in the city held a separate demonstration condemning the assault. Alliance of Independent Journalists and Indonesian Union of Journalist's North Maluku chapter also condemned the incident as against freedom of press and a breach of laws.
  
  In Morotai Island Regency, protest was held predominantly by Pasifik University (UNIPAS) in front off the regent's office and parliament building (DPRD). The students brought a banner written " Republik oligarki, Indonesia gelap, Malut butuh pendidikan gratis " (Oligarchic republic, dark Indonesia, North Maluku needs free education). The students criticized the free meal programs is ineffective and what Indonesian students need is free education.