UI Students Face Hurdles Before Jakarta Demonstration

Student activists from the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) encountered significant hurdles on their path to a planned demonstration on August 18, 2026, in Jakarta. The obstacles began during the preparation phase, with their commandeered command car becoming unavailable. BEM UI had arranged for six command cars, but these were ultimately not used. "Imagine, they even took our command car from us," said Muhammad Hafidz Haernanda, known as Bapis, the coordinator for social and political affairs for BEM UI in 2026.

Hafidz explained that the driver of one command car reported facing pressure from unspecified parties, fearing job loss if they continued to assist the students. "I don't blame the drivers because they were, what do you call it, powerless in that situation," Hafidz stated. The command car was crucial for organizing the crowd and conveying their message. Despite this setback, the students managed to assemble their own makeshift command vehicle.

Further complicating their mobilization, 24 Kopaja buses that were supposed to transport students also became unavailable. Hafidz linked this to pressure on the vehicles and their drivers, stating, "Then 24 Kopaja buses disappeared in an instant because they were secured by various institutions." He did not specify which institutions were involved or provide evidence for these claims.

Additionally, BEM UI reported that other student organizations faced intimidation, with some campuses allegedly visited by authorities threatening students. One piece of information suggested that students from a particular campus were threatened with the revocation of their KIPK (Student Smart Card) if they participated in the demonstration. Despite these transport issues, students chartered 36 angkots to reach their protest site at HI Roundabout. Upon arrival at Dukuh Atas, however, their progress was blocked by a police barricade preventing them from reaching their intended destination. After attempting to negotiate with the police, the students remained blocked and eventually dispersed around 6:10 PM.