Chronology of UMY Students Detaining Intelligence Officer on Campus
Students from Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY) detained a man who was a member of the Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) intelligence unit on campus yesterday. The incident occurred after students held a peaceful demonstration at the Titik Nol Kilometer area of Jogja.
Here is the chronology of the intelligence officer entering the UMY campus and being detained by students:
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
1:30 PM WIB: Peaceful Protest at Titik Nol
Wakil Rektor Bidang Pendidikan dan Kemahasiswaan UMY, Prof. Dr. Zuly Qodir, stated that the incident occurred after students from the Aliansi UMY Bergerak returned from a peaceful protest at Titik Nol on Wednesday (17/6/2026). According to Zuly, the protest, which began at 1:30 PM WIB, was orderly and had received permission from the university with certain conditions, including the registration of participants to ensure security during the activity.
“The students who departed had to be properly registered, and upon return, the number had to match. This is part of our shared responsibility in maintaining security and order during the activity,” Zuly said in a written statement on Thursday (18/6).
5:30 PM WIB: Students Detain Intelligence Officer on Campus
The protest ended at 5:30 PM WIB and the group of students returned to campus. The situation then developed when students discovered a man in civilian clothes within the campus area.
The students then questioned the man’s identity and purpose for being there. After verification, the individual was identified as a member of the Polda DIY intelligence unit.
The man was then taken to the Rectorate Building area to be questioned. Aware of the situation, university leadership immediately mediated to prevent the issue from escalating into a larger conflict.
Zuly admitted the campus continually reminds students to prioritise dialogue over physical action.
“I emphasised to the students that dialogue is far more important than using physical force. Using common sense and clarity of thought is the best way to resolve issues,” he said.
He also stressed that the university does not condone any form of violence in resolving problems.
“We remind students that all forms of violent action cannot be justified. The campus must be a space that upholds dialogue, common sense, and peaceful problem-solving,” he stated.
Through communication involving students, university leadership, and the police, the intelligence officer eventually explained his identity and the purpose of his presence. Polda DIY also provided clarification and picked up the individual from the campus.
“The police have provided an explanation and clarification. Therefore, this issue was resolved well through open communication,” said Zuly.
8:00 PM WIB: Situation Ends Conducively
At around 8:00 PM WIB, the situation was declared conducive. All parties agreed to resolve the matter peacefully without any acts of violence.
Zuly added that the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of coordination and communication between all parties, including the campus and law enforcement officials.
“We appreciate the maturity of the students in handling this situation. All parties ultimately chose the path of dialogue so the issue could be resolved well without causing a larger conflict,” he explained.
Polda DIY Speaks Out
Kabid Humas Polda DIY Ihsan confirmed that the man detained by the students was a police officer. Ihsan stated the officer was an official personnel who had received an official warrant for securing the protest.
“Regarding the video circulating on social media, we convey that the man in the video is indeed a member of Polda DIY and is an officer officially involved in the service warrant for the public expression of opinion carried out today (yesterday, ed) at Titik Nol,” Ihsan said in a statement received by journalists on Thursday (18/6).
He stated that the personnel’s presence at the location was part of a monitoring assignment to ensure the protest participants returned to campus safely. Regarding the misunderstanding that occurred, Polda Jogja stated it had been resolved humanely.
“The current situation is conducive. We thank the rectorate and the students for the excellent communication and coordination, so this misunderstanding could be resolved well, and our member has returned to Polda,” he concluded.