Senior Commissioner Susatyo Purnomo Condro, Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, said the joint security force includes personnel from the regional police, city police, and local precincts.
"Security officers will act firmly but professionally, prioritizing a persuasive approach in the field," Susatyo told reporters.
The protest, organized by the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI), was centered around Monas and other key locations in downtown Jakarta. Officers were stationed at strategic points to prevent public disorder and traffic disruptions.
Susatyo urged demonstrators to voice their concerns peacefully and in accordance with the law.
"Speak respectfully, avoid damaging public property, do not burn tires, and do not resist law enforcement," he said.
He added that officers deployed would not carry firearms and had been instructed to apply a humanistic approach. However, firm action would be taken if the situation escalated.
To ease traffic congestion, police advised the public to avoid the Monas area. Traffic rerouting would be implemented based on crowd size and real-time developments on the ground.
The protest comes amid growing public scrutiny of government policies as President Prabowo enters his second year in office.
In a call to action posted on Instagram, BEM SI stated: "One year into the Prabowo–Gibran Rakabuming Raka administration, we grow increasingly anxious about Indonesia’s future. That's why it’s time to mobilize — to push back against policies that fail to serve the people."
Despite student discontent, broader public sentiment appears more optimistic. A recent survey by the Indonesian Social Survey (ISS) found that public satisfaction with the government's performance stands at 78 percent, according to ISS Executive Director Whinda Yustisia.
Speaking at a public discussion titled "80 Years of Indonesian Independence: How Is the Current Quality of Life?" held on August 21, Whinda said, "Overall, people feel fairly happy, healthy, and safe, and show strong trust in each other and national institutions."
However, she noted that household economic conditions remain the biggest challenge.
Despite this, the ISS survey reflects growing optimism among Indonesians, with high levels of happiness and safety reported across the country.
Whinda said the national quality of life index scored 65 out of 100, categorized as "fairly good."
The survey, conducted in July, involved 2,200 respondents from all 38 provinces and measured seven key aspects of quality of life: psychological well-being (67.3); health (70.1); safety (72.3); social and institutional trust (70.2); political participation (69.7); economic well-being (42.6); and environmental quality (62.9).
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Translator: Khaerul I, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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