Demonstration Blocked, Protesters and Police Clash in Central Jakarta

A shoving match occurred between police officers and protesters in front of Jalan MH Thamrin, precisely in front of the UOB Building, Central Jakarta, on Friday (12/6/2026) afternoon. The incident took place when police used iron barriers to block the demonstrating crowd. Based on Republika’s monitoring, the protesters remained stationed on Jalan MH Thamrin until 4.30 p.m. Western Indonesian Time, while TNI and police personnel continued to prevent the crowd from moving towards the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout area. Tensions began to rise when police pushed iron barriers towards the protesters. The crowd then pushed back against the barriers, resulting in a brief shoving match between the police and the demonstrators. Several individuals also threw used mineral water bottles at the police. However, the tension did not last long, and conditions on the ground returned to being conducive. Nevertheless, the crowd persisted in holding their ground, still intent on proceeding with their plan to hold a demonstration at the HI Roundabout area. The protest, initiated by BEM UI, was scheduled to take place at 1.00 p.m. in the HI Roundabout area. The action included five points of student demands: stop the waste of the state budget (APBN), lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel, halt the MBG programme and the development of the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih, stop militarism in the civilian sphere, and demand that Prabowo stop evading and admit his mistakes. However, the students’ journey to the protest location was blocked by police. The student group was initially blocked in the Semanggi area on Friday afternoon and directed to hold their protest in front of the DPR Building. Afterwards, the students conducted a long march towards the HI Roundabout area but were blocked again by police and TNI officers on Jalan MH Thamrin, precisely in front of the UOB Building.