Chants of "Killer Police" Echo at National Police Headquarters as Students Demand Severe Punishment for Bripda Mesias
Jakarta – On that afternoon, the sky over Kebayoran Baru remained bright when waves of students began to converge on the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) on Friday, 27 February 2026. Yellow and green jackets distinctive of the University of Indonesia (UI) and the National Development University Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ) dominated the ranks.
They had not come to attend lectures, but to voice their anger. In front of the gate, white banners were displayed. Messages reading “Uphold Civilian Supremacy” and “Empty the Classroom, Study on the Streets” immediately caught the attention of motorists passing along Jalan Trunojoyo. Other posters were equally pointed, including “Police Reform”, “Justice for Arianto Tawakal”, and sheets bearing the victim’s face with the piercing statement, “Police Killed You”.
Chants of “Killer police!” echoed repeatedly. The sound reverberated off the walls of the Mabes Polri building. Fists were raised high, following commands from speakers mounted on a command vehicle.
This action was triggered by the death of Arianto Tawakal (14), a student from Tual City, Maluku, who allegedly died as a result of assault by a Brimob member, Bripda Mesias Siahaya. The case has sparked anger among students across multiple campuses and has become a symbol of demands for police reform. Manifestos setting out the protesters’ demands were distributed to participants, whilst student organisation flags waved among the crowd.
Earlier, it was reported that thousands of police personnel had been deployed to oversee the student protest action organised by the University of Indonesia’s Executive Body (BEM UI) to be held in front of the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday afternoon, 27 February 2026.
No less than 3,093 personnel were deployed by the Metro Jaya Regional Police to ensure that the demonstration, which was focused on criticism of the death of MTsN 1 Southeast Maluku student Arianto Tawakal (14), proceeded in an orderly fashion. As is known, the case has implicated a Brimob member, Bripda Mesias Siahaya, who has now been designated as a suspect and has been subject to ethical sanctions.
Budi Hermanto, Head of the Public Relations Division of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, stated that security arrangements had been carefully prepared given that the location of the action was in a strategic area.
“Security for the activity involving the expression of public opinion, to be held on Friday, 27 February 2026, at approximately 13:00 after Friday prayers, by student elements. The Metro Jaya Regional Police deployed approximately 3,093 personnel,” Budi told journalists following a personnel briefing.