BEM SI Hardiknas Demonstration Closes Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta

JAKARTA - The All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI) alliance held a demonstration on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Saturday afternoon (2/5/2026). Based on observations at the site at 3:15 PM Western Indonesia Time, the crowd gathered at the protest point consisted only of members from the National Student League for Democracy (LMND). Orations, accompanied by tyre-burning actions, were delivered by the protesters wearing red clothing. Meanwhile, other protest groups were reportedly still en route to the site from their respective campuses. Police began implementing traffic diversions along Jalan Merdeka Barat towards the HI Roundabout on Jalan M.H. Thamrin. The road closure using water barriers was enforced at the intersection near the National Monument’s Horse Statue. However, several motorbikes were seen attempting to breach the barriers to head directly towards City Hall. Meanwhile, traffic from Jakarta City Hall towards the Horse Statue Roundabout was also partially closed with police barriers. Vehicles wishing to proceed from City Hall to Jalan Merdeka Barat or Jalan MH Thamrin had to take a detour via Jalan H Agus Salim and Jalan Kebon Sirih. Traffic conditions were observed to be congested from Jalan Merdeka Barat towards Jalan MH Thamrin and vice versa. Traffic around the Horse Statue Roundabout was also disrupted due to the road closures. They arrived wearing their university uniforms. They brought a command vehicle with a red-and-white flag inscribed with “Voice of the People,” while erecting barricades and singing struggle songs such as Buruh Tani and motivational chants. Upon reaching the protest site, they sang Indonesia Raya and Totalitas Perjuangan. The students urged the police to open the barricades so they could stage the protest in front of the State Palace area. “From the beginning, we wanted to hold the action at the Palace; we are certain that if not in front of the Palace, our voices will not be heard by those in power, by President Prabowo,” shouted one of the protesters from atop the command vehicle.