Fact Check: Did 'Reform 2.0 Protests' Really Occur in Jakarta in August 2026?

Claims of significant "Reform 2.0 Protests" taking place in Jakarta during the first week of August 2026 have been circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These posts, shared by accounts with large followings, suggested that the Indonesian government was attracting international media attention for these demonstrations.

One widely shared post featured a Channel News Asia (CNA) news segment about student protests in Indonesia on August 4, 2026, accompanied by a caption implying foreign media interest. Another user shared a photo dated August 3, 2026, claiming it depicted thousands of students protesting at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. These posts garnered thousands of reactions and shares, contributing to the spread of the narrative.

However, Tempo's Fact Check Team investigated content related to protests between August 1 and 8, 2026. Their analysis uncovered 18 accounts sharing nine different types of documentation with similar claims. Using reverse image search tools on Google, Yandex, and Bing, the team found that the images and videos used in these posts were from past events. The investigation concluded that no large-scale demonstrations occurred in Jakarta during the first week of August 2026.

Specific content verifications highlighted the deceptive nature of the posts. One video compilation included a photo identical to one published by the Antara news agency on May 19, 1998, depicting students protesting to demand Suharto's resignation. Another clip resembled a news report from August 24, 2024, concerning protests against a revision of the Regional Election Law. A third video, posted on August 8, 2026, was traced back to a student demonstration on June 12, 2026, in the Bundaran HI area.