BEM DIY protest ends peacefully, police commend students

The Yogyakarta Special Region Police (Polda DIY) has commended students for ensuring that a protest in the Malioboro area of Yogyakarta City on Thursday (27/8) remained peaceful and conducive.

“We greatly appreciate our fellow students who conveyed their aspirations responsibly and peacefully,” said Polda DIY Head of Public Relations Senior Commissioner Ihsan in Sleman on Friday.

According to him, the protest, which took place from midday until late afternoon in front of the Yogyakarta Special Region Legislative Council (DPRD DIY) building and the Yogyakarta Zero Kilometre Point area, proceeded safely, conducively, and under control.

Ihsan assessed that the peaceful demonstration represented a shared commitment to keeping Yogyakarta safe while also demonstrating the maturity of democracy in the region.

“This shows the maturity of democracy in Yogyakarta,” he said.

The two main issues voiced by the students were strengthening regional autonomy and fiscal decentralisation, as well as accelerating the passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill.

Other demands included police reform, free education, an evaluation of forestry issues, and the withdrawal of the military and police from civilian affairs.

The crowd moved from the Abu Bakar Ali area to the DPRD DIY building, then continued the protest to the Yogyakarta Zero Kilometre Point area.

Ihsan also expressed appreciation for the Jaga Warga group and other community elements who helped maintain the situation during the protest.

Polda DIY, he continued, conducted dialogue-based patrols in the evening to maintain public safety and comfort after the protest.

“We are fully committed to overseeing and serving every activity involving the expression of aspirations by prioritising a humanist and persuasive approach,” he said.

Ihsan also urged the public not to be easily provoked by unverifiable information on social media.

“Do not easily believe or spread information whose truth has not been verified,” he said.