“Over one thousand UI students departed for the Greater Jakarta Police HQ at around 2 p.m. (local time),” said Daffa Izzulhaq, a member of the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board’s (BEM UI) media team, in Jakarta on Friday.
Before departing, the students had gathered at the courtyard of UI’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at noon, wearing their distinctive yellow jackets.
The protesters demanded a transparent investigation into police arrests and alleged acts of violence against demonstrators, the release of all detainees, and comprehensive institutional and structural reform of the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
In anticipation of the demonstration, the Greater Jakarta Police held a roll call and deployed personnel equipped with tear gas, helmets, bulletproof vests, boots, and orange tactical gear. A water cannon truck and three operational vehicles were also stationed at the headquarters.
The UI rally followed a wave of protests by residents, students, laborers, and online motorbike taxi (ojek) drivers against the House of Representatives (DPR) over the past several days, which had led to repeated clashes with police.
Tensions escalated on Thursday night (August 28) when a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle fatally struck Affan Kurniawan, an ojek driver, in an incident captured in a viral video.
The tragedy immediately prompted crowds to gather outside the Brimob Headquarters in Kwitang, Central Jakarta, with demonstrations continuing through Friday.
President Prabowo Subianto extended his condolences over Kurniawan’s death, pledged government support for his family’s livelihood, and called for transparent handling of the case.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo also visited the victim’s family, issued a public apology, and assured a thorough investigation. Seven Brimob personnel who were inside the tactical vehicle are currently under questioning.
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Translator: Ade Irma, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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