BEM UI Holds Solidarity Demonstration for Arianto Tawakal at National Police Headquarters
The Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) organised a protest demonstration at the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) on Friday, 27 February.
The protest was held in solidarity and support regarding an assault committed by Brimob officer from Maluku Regional Police (Polda Maluku) Bripda Mesias Siahaya against student Arianto Tawakal (14), which resulted in the student’s death.
BEM UI member Hafidz Hernanda stated the protest would take place at 13:00 WIB. He mentioned the action would present five key demands.
“First, we demand the imposition of maximum criminal penalties against the police officer who killed AT and all perpetrators of repressive actions,” he told journalists.
Second, BEM UI also demanded that Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Maluku’s Police Chief Inspector General Dadang Hartanto be removed from their positions.
Additionally, BEM UI demanded the release of all political detainees who were criminalised and the enforcement of boundaries on police authority and the withdrawal of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) from civilian positions.
“We also demand concrete results from the Commission for Accelerated Police Reform regarding structural, cultural, and instrumental police reform,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Metro Police Public Relations Chief Commissioner Budi Hermanto stated that his department had prepared a total of 3,093 personnel to secure the protest.
“These will be stationed at several points, considering there are national vital facilities here, including PLN offices, crowded public areas, and markets—we have prepared police personnel across several such locations,” he explained.
Budi stated that Metro Police had also prepared comprehensive security measures that prioritised humanitarian approaches and respect for human rights.
Furthermore, Budi appealed to demonstrators to express their opinions publicly whilst adhering to established norms and ethics, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
He requested that the public joining the protest should not be easily provoked or create disturbances that could harm other citizens.
“We are confident and believe that these university students are educated individuals with manners and etiquette,” he explained.
“Therefore, in expressing their opinions, we guarantee that we will provide proper oversight and protection,” he added.
Budi further stated that Metro Police had also prepared traffic engineering measures around Mabes Polri, though these would remain situational depending on developments in the field.
Previously, the Tual Police (Polres Tual) had named Bripda Mesias Siahaya, a member of Brimob Company 1 Battalion C Pelopor, as a suspect in the assault that caused the death of AT (14), a student from State Islamic Junior High School in Southeast Maluku.
The incident began when a Brimob patrol conducted a security operation using a tactical vehicle in Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency on Thursday, 19 February in the early morning hours.
The patrol was initially at Mangga Dua Complex in Langgur until around 02:00 WIT, then moved to Fiditan Village, Tual City, after receiving a report from residents regarding an alleged beating near the Tete Pancing area.
Upon arrival at the location, the suspect and several officers descended from the vehicle to conduct security operations. Approximately 10 minutes later, two motorcycles travelled at high speed from Ngadi towards Tete Pancing.
The suspect allegedly swung a tactical helmet as a signal. However, the helmet struck the right temple of victim AT (14), causing the victim to fall from the motorcycle face down.
The victim was then transported to Karel Sadsuitubun Hospital in Langgur for medical treatment. However, at 13:00 WIT, the victim was pronounced dead.
For his actions, MS was charged under Article 35 read together with Article 14 of the revised Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection and Article 474 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code.