Indonesian police deny receiving official notice for UI student protest

Central Jakarta Police claim they did not receive an official notification for a demonstration organized by the Student Executive Body of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) in Bundaran HI, Central Jakarta. The protest, themed "Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia," took place on Friday, June 12, 2026.

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On Thursday, June 11, 2026, around 02:56 AM Western Indonesian Time, we received initial information in the form of a PDF notification letter for the action from a UI student. However, when follow-up communication was made on Friday morning, the message received no response.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Commissioner Besar Reynold E.P. Hutagalung stated that police received initial information about the planned protest via WhatsApp. "On Thursday, June 11, 2026, around 02:56 AM Western Indonesian Time, we received initial information in the form of a PDF notification letter for the action from a UI student. However, when follow-up communication was made on Friday morning, the message received no response," Reynold said in a written statement on Sunday, June 14, 2026. He cited Article 10 of Law Number 9 of 1998 concerning Freedom of Opinion in Public, which requires the event organizer to submit a direct notification to the police at least 3x24 hours before the activity begins. "Until the action took place, we did not receive any official notification letter," Reynold added.

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Until the action took place, we did not receive any official notification letter.

Despite the alleged lack of official notification, police deployed personnel to secure the demonstration. Previously, the Jakarta Metro Police also stated the demonstration proceeded without a notification letter. This contradicts the students' claim that they had submitted the notification long before the protest. Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metro Police, Commissioner Besar Budi Hermanto, confirmed that they had checked with relevant parties and found no record of the notification. "As of this moment, there is none," Budi stated on Friday.

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As of this moment, there is none.

Conversely, the Head of BEM FH UI, Anandaku Dimas Rumi, stated that the committee had submitted the protest notification letter well in advance and had publicized the action's location and other information on social media. "We have also publicized the action's location and other information through social media," Dimas said. BEM UI Chairman Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan outlined the five demands of the protesters: stop the waste of the state budget (APBN), lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel, halt the Free Nutritious Meal Program and the construction of the Red and White Village Cooperative, stop militarism in civilian spheres, and urge President Prabowo Subianto to stop evading and acknowledge government mistakes.

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We have also publicized the action's location and other information through social media.