Students at Jakarta Protest Demand Non-Repressive Police Action

Students protesting at Jakarta's Hotel Indonesia roundabout urged police not to act repressively during their demonstration on Friday, June 12, 2026. Members of the Alliance of Movements Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia emphasized that their protest is peaceful, without weapons or security threats.

"Please do not be repressive. We are students, not armed criminal groups. We are not carrying weapons. We carry the intention for the improvement of the Indonesian people," stated Raka Andika from Brigade UI at the scene. Andika stressed that students should not be treated as enemies and denied accusations that the protest was being manipulated by certain parties. "Don't consider us enemies or criminals. We are part of society. Our intentions are sincere for the nation of Indonesia," he added.

The statement followed reports from protesters who claimed they were intercepted at various points while en route to the demonstration site. The alliance accused the police of obstructing their planned protest at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. A representative of the alliance confirmed that a notification letter for the action had been sent to the Central Jakarta Metro Police, and BEM UI Chairman Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan reiterated that the planned location was the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, not the parliament complex.

Protesters reported being stopped from Semanggi to Dukuh Atas before noon and were denied passage to the demonstration site. Some participants also intended to perform Friday prayers but were reportedly denied access to places of worship. The alliance indicated that the crowd was split at several locations, including near Gelora Bung Karno, Fairmont, and the DPR complex, feeling trapped by the security presence and unable to move freely. Despite the situation, no protesters were arrested, though students viewed the police actions as a restriction on freedom of expression.