Police Block Indonesian Students' Protest, Prevent Prayer

Police in Jakarta blocked a group of Indonesian university students from reaching their planned protest site at Bundaran HI, instead directing them to demonstrate in front of the DPR building.

The students, part of the Alliance of Movements Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia, were stopped in the Semanggi area. Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan, the head of the University of Indonesia's Student Executive Council, stated that the police's actions were repressive. He emphasized that they had submitted a formal request to the police regarding their intention to protest at Bundaran HI.

According to Imawan, the confrontation occurred around 11:55 AM in Dukuh Atas. He expressed outrage that police prevented students from praying, questioning the authorities' right to interfere with religious practices and to dictate where citizens can exercise their constitutional rights.

The incident highlights tensions between student activists and law enforcement in Indonesia, particularly concerning the right to protest and the boundaries of police authority.