Hotel Sultan Eviction Execution Turns Violent

A court-ordered eviction at Hotel Sultan in Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) area descended into chaos on Thursday morning, June 18, 2026. A crowd engaged in a physical confrontation with security personnel overseeing the building's evacuation.

Eyewitness accounts described the crowd hurling fist-sized rocks at the security forces. Police officers sought cover behind armored vehicles to evade the assault. In response, law enforcement deployed water cannons toward the protesters, causing them to scatter and retreat into the hotel premises. Security personnel pursued the individuals, leading to the apprehension of some.

Ahyar Patmika, the registrar of the Central Jakarta District Court, affirmed that the execution process adhered to all legal requirements and was duly approved. He stated that the court's order permitted the bailiff to proceed with the eviction and return the property to the counterclaim plaintiffs.

Earlier, Hendry Arisandi, head of the transition team for Blok 15 Gelora Bung Karno, had indicated that technical preparations for the eviction were underway. He cited a lack of good faith from the hotel's management, PT Indobuildco, which he claimed had not complied with the court's order to vacate the premises. "Our principle is clear, this execution is the implementation of a court order," Hendry stated in a written release on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.