27 Jakarta Students Detained During August Protests Now Participating in State Defence Programme

A total of 29 students from Jakarta, who were detained by police during demonstrations on 27 August, will undergo state defence training in Bogor.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has welcomed the programme, which was initiated by the Ministry of Defence and the Metro Jaya Regional Police. “In my opinion, this programme is good because it helps, especially students, to better appreciate and love their own country,” Pramono stated in the Tebet area, South Jakarta, on Thursday (10/9).

Pramono explained that the state defence programme also includes students from outside Jakarta. Regarding the students from Jakarta, he detailed that out of the initial 29 students, only 27 are ultimately participating in the programme.

“Indeed, Jakarta is also sending participants from Tangerang, Bekasi, South Tangerang, Bogor, Depok, and so on. From Jakarta itself, 29 were initially sent, but 27 are participating in the programme,” he clarified.

Pramono did not comment further on the specific details of the state defence programme. He emphasised that the Jakarta Provincial Government is not involved in the initiative.

“Therefore, regarding the programme details, since this is being conducted by the Ministry of Defence and the Metro Jaya Regional Police, please direct your questions to the agencies conducting the training,” he concluded.

According to the Head of the Jakarta Education Office, Nahdiana, the state defence training in Bogor is being attended by 151 students. Of the total participants, 29 are from Jakarta, consisting of 12 vocational high school (SMK) students, seven high school (SMA) students, four junior high school (SMP) students, four participants from Community Learning Centres (PKBM), one student from a Learning Activity Studio (SKB), and one primary school student.

She noted that these students were held at the Metro Jaya Regional Police headquarters following the demonstrations on 27 August. However, their direct involvement in the protests has not yet been confirmed.

“After the protests, they were indeed at the Police Headquarters. But whether all 29 children participated in the protest or not, I do not have information that far,” said Nahdiana.