Protesters remain at Indonesian parliament complex despite dispersal calls

Thousands of protesters maintained their presence at the parliament complex in Jakarta on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The demonstration persisted even after the United Pati Society Alliance (AMPB), a key organizing group, disbanded earlier in the day. AMPB representatives had met with Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who pledged to ratify the Asset Seizure Bill by December 15, 2026.

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We are women who feel the government policies are deeply unjust.

Those who stayed represented a diverse coalition, including women's alliances, ride-hailing drivers, college students, and high school students. Alya Putri, who joined with friends met on social media, expressed deep concern about the "state of society" and what she described as "deeply unjust" government policies. She specifically cited issues like food poisoning cases linked to a flagship free nutritious meal program and a reduced education budget, stating, "We are really worried about the future generation."

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We are really worried about the future generation.

Ride-hailing driver Rohan, who had been at the site since morning, shared his struggles with the rising cost of living. "Everything is expensive for poor people like me. As an ojol driver, saving money is out of the question. Every year, every month, we only earn enough money to pay for rent," he said. Rohan also voiced impatience with the parliament's timeline for the Asset Seizure Bill, questioning, "We have been waiting for so long, do we have to hit the gavel ourselves?"

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Everything is expensive for poor people like me. As an ojol driver, saving money is out of the question. Every year, every month, we only earn enough money to pay for rent.

Students from Universitas Terbuka, part of the Universitas Terbuka Accuses Alliance, also remained. Rendiansyah, a student, explained their continued presence stemmed from skepticism towards parliamentary promises. "Because we have been promised for so long without it ever being realized," he stated. By evening, a significant number of protesters still occupied the area in front of the DPR building.

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We have been waiting for so long, do we have to hit the gavel ourselves?