Indonesian police explain protest restrictions amid presidential visit

Police in Central Jakarta have clarified their reasons for restricting student protests at the Arjuna Wijaya statue and Tugu Tani on June 15, 2026. Inspector Satu Erlyn Sumantri of the Central Jakarta Metro Police stated that limiting access to the Arjuna Wijaya area for demonstrations is a long-standing policy. "Currently, every demonstration activity in the Arjuna Wijaya area is provided with a place on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan," Erlyn said.

Erlyn denied allegations that police blocked protesters at Tugu Tani, asserting that officers allowed demonstrators to proceed to Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. However, he did not specify the legal regulations underpinning the police's decision to limit protests to Jalan Merdeka Selatan.

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Currently, every demonstration activity in the Arjuna Wijaya area is provided with a place on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.

Kurnia Arya Satya, chairman of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of Bung Karno University's Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, stated that their group had notified the police at the Presidential Palace about their planned demonstration. Due to the German President's visit to Indonesia, police reportedly asked the protesters to move their demonstration to the Arjuna Wijaya area. "We are also confused why we were only given access up to Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, while the prior notification and agreement was at the Arjuna Wijaya area," Arya said.

Observations at Tugu Tani showed dozens of police officers forming a human barricade, blocking the road towards Medan Merdeka Timur. This action led to a push-and-shove confrontation with the students. The BEM UBK and its allies were protesting under the theme "Tata Ulang Indonesia" (Restructuring Indonesia), presenting six demands to President Prabowo Subianto's administration. These demands included pausing and evaluating the free nutritious meal project, reviewing the National Police Law, ending militarism, strengthening economic stability, ensuring inclusive and quality education, and reconsidering fuel price hikes.

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We are also confused why we were only given access up to Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, while the prior notification and agreement was at the Arjuna Wijaya area.