Behind DPR Labour Protest, Police Uncover Alleged Detailed Riot Scenario

Jakarta, Kompas.com - Metro Jaya Police claim to have successfully foiled an attempt at rioting that was allegedly planned by a group of individuals during the International Labour Day or May Day action in front of the DPR/MPR RI Building, Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026). In the operation, police arrested 101 people suspected of intending to spark unrest amid the crowd of workers voicing their aspirations. “The enforcement was a form of prevention after police received information about a group suspected of infiltrating the labour action,” said Iman during a press conference at Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on Friday evening. From the hands of that group, police seized several pieces of evidence, ranging from simple explosive materials to sharp weapons that were said to have been prepared beforehand. The evidence included empty bottles, fire-starting cloths, and petrol suspected to be assembled into Molotov cocktails. Police also found slingshots along with their ammunition, concrete nails, sharp weapons, communication devices, and cash amounting to around Rp 10 million. According to him, the concrete nails found were also suspected to be used to damage infrastructure around the protest location. “They took advantage of the available time when some were attending the oration, some were damaging the concrete or boundary fence barriers, so the plan was that when the time came for the riot, it would make it easier for them to topple the boundary fence,” he explained. In addition to the evidence, police also found written documents said to contain detailed plans or a rundown of the group’s activities. Iman said the document included attack schedules up to systematic escape routes. “We found a document planning to carry out the riot. So, hour by hour, they had prepared when they would carry out the attack or assault, in the language here,” Iman clarified. “So, where they come from, then what the incident would be like, and where they have to return. The gathering points they had already determined. How their flow of arrival and escape is also depicted here, and they prepared it well,” he added.