Jakarta Denies CCTV Cameras Disabled During Student Protest

The Jakarta Provincial Government has refuted claims that surveillance cameras in the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout area ceased functioning during a recent student protest. Cyril Raoul Hakim, spokesperson for the Jakarta Governor, confirmed on Friday, June 12, 2026, that the ten government-owned CCTV cameras in the vicinity remained operational.

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We have ten (CCTV cameras), and they are not non-functional.

Hakim acknowledged that technical issues could potentially cause temporary slowness in accessing some cameras, especially when numerous people attempt to view the feeds simultaneously. He also noted that other CCTV cameras in the area are not under the provincial government's purview, and their operational status during the demonstration could not be confirmed.

Earlier reports, originating from a social media account, alleged that all CCTV cameras in Central Jakarta were non-functional, using the HI Roundabout as an example. However, Tempo's observations at the protest site indicated the presence of students from various universities, including the University of Indonesia and Bogor Agricultural University, who were prevented from reaching the HI Roundabout by police and military barricades.

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Even if it is slow, it's because many people are trying to access (the cameras).

Commissioner Budi Hermanto, Head of the Public Relations Division of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, stated that protests are prohibited at the HI Roundabout, as it is a vital economic hub and not a designated area for demonstrations. He mentioned that police had communicated with relevant parties to redirect protesters to alternative locations, such as near the Horse Statue or in front of the parliament building.

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The location is not designated for expressing aspirations.