BEM UI Claims to Have Sent Protest Notification, Police Deny

The Metro Jaya Regional Police claim they have not received any notification letter from the University of Indonesia’s Student Executive Body (BEM UI) regarding the protest held at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout on Friday afternoon.

However, the Chairperson of BEM FH UI, Anandaku Dimas Rumi Chattaristo, maintains that his organisation has submitted the notification. “We have attempted to convey that we have provided a notification letter, and we have also published all details regarding the protest location and other matters on social media,” said Dimas.

Dimas added that the letter specified the protest would take place at Bundaran HI. “As previously stated, we have submitted written notification to the Indonesian National Police, specifically the Central Jakarta Police. This is because we planned for this action to be held at Bundaran HI,” Dimas stated.

Nevertheless, BEM UI’s claim was refuted by the Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto. “As of 5:34 PM WIB today, we have conducted checks at the Depok Police, the Intelligence Directorate of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, and the Central Jakarta Metro Police; no letter has been sent by BEM UI regarding the delivery of aspirations today,” Budi Hermanto told reporters.

“We emphasise that there has been no, and up to this very second, no notification letter,” he added.

Budi explained that pursuant to Article 10 of Law Number 9 of 1998, notification for protest actions must be submitted at least 3x24 hours in advance. During this period, the police coordinate with field coordinators to prepare security for the demonstration.

“Security personnel and regulations for the protected points will be prepared, meaning traffic flow must be managed. We must also inform the public about these activities so that citizens can consider using alternative routes, rather than it being sudden,” he said.

Furthermore, Budi denied the statement from BEM UI claiming they had sent notification regarding today’s protest at Bundaran HI. “To reiterate, during our social media patrol, one of the BEM UI students stated they had sent a notification letter to the Metro Jaya Regional Police. We deny this; so far, we have not received any notification. We remind you of the provisions in Article 10 of Law Number 9 of 1998,” he said.

Monitoring the student protest, demonstrators attempted to break through police barricades set up around Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta. According to observations, joint TNI-Polri forces had been dispersing the crowd, which consisted mostly of students, since 2:30 PM WIB. Authorities did not permit the crowd to proceed with the demonstration at Bundaran HI.

At the scene, in addition to students wearing university jackets, there were also participants not wearing university attire. Several instances of pushing occurred between protesters and security forces, with officers pushing back those attempting to breach the barricades.

One of the groups involved in today’s action was BEM UI, bringing five primary demands: first, requesting the government to stop wasteful state budget (APBN) spending; second, lowering the prices of basic necessities and fuel; third, halting the MBG program and the development of the Red and White Village Cooperative; fourth, halting civilian militarism; and fifth, requesting President Prabowo Subianto to stop evading and to acknowledge the mistakes of his administration.

Regarding the legality of protest notifications, demonstrations are a fundamental right of citizens to express opinions, guaranteed by Article 28E paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution. Procedures for demonstrations are regulated by Law 9/1998, including the requirement to provide notification to the police.

As explained by Budi, written notification must be submitted by the individual, leader, or person in charge of the group at least 3x24 hours before the activity begins. Upon receiving the notification, the police are obliged to immediately issue a Notification Receipt (STTP) and prepare security measures.

Citing the official website of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), the police essentially do not have the authority to reject or prohibit protests as long as they do not violate the law. LBH stated that the notification letter aims to allow authorities to manage traffic and ensure the safety of both participants and the surrounding community, rather than serving as a request for permission.

However, Article 256 of Law 1/2024 (the new Criminal Code) states: “Any person who, without prior notification to the authorities, holds a parade, protest, or demonstration in public streets or public places that results in the disruption of public interest, causes chaos, or creates civil unrest, shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of 6 months or a fine of up to Category II.”

This article was challenged in a judicial review by dozens of students at the Constitutional Court (MK). However, in Decision Number 271/PUU-XXIII/2025 delivered on Monday (2/3/2026), the MK rejected the petitioners’ application in its entirety.

According to the MK, in the legal considerations read by Constitutional Judge Ridwan Mansyur, the court held that if the right to express opinions in public has been notified to the authorities, the perpetrator cannot be prosecuted under the norms of Article 256 of the Criminal Code, even if the activity results in the disruption of public interest.