Indonesian police block student protesters, forcing march on foot

Hundreds of students from Universitas Indonesia (UI) were blocked by police on Friday from reaching their planned protest site in Jakarta, forcing them to abandon their buses and march on foot.

The students, who were traveling from Depok, were stopped by police in the Semanggi area. They intended to proceed to Bundaran HI, a central Jakarta landmark, which had been designated as the initial protest location. However, police blocked their path, preventing them from moving towards Sudirman street and the Bundaran HI area.

Anandaku Dimas Rumi, head of the UI Law Faculty Student Executive Body, stated that the police offered no clear reason for halting their movement. He described the police as dismissive when the students requested passage. Another student representative, Anshary Pramono, reported that the buses carrying the students were intercepted by Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel on the Semanggi flyover and at other points, including in front of the TVRI office.

Consequently, the students were compelled to leave their buses and commence a long march from Semanggi to Bundaran HI. As of late Friday afternoon, they remained blocked by police in the Thamrin Nine Ballroom area, Sudirman, still unable to reach their intended protest destination. Police spokesperson Komisaris Besar Budi Hermanto stated that Bundaran HI is not an appropriate venue for demonstrations, as it is a center for economic and public activity. He suggested alternative locations like Patung Kuda or the area in front of the DPR/MPR buildings.