Demonstration in Central Jakarta Concludes, Traffic Returns to Normal

A student demonstration organised by the Student Executive Board of the State University of Jakarta (BEM UNJ) on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, has concluded. The road heading towards Gambir Station has been reopened.

According to observations at the scene on Friday (17/7/2026), the demonstration ended around 5.55 p.m. Western Indonesian Time. The crowd shifted to a U-turn area in front of the BSI building, but were unable to move to another lane as police requested they continue their protest at the original location.

Police subsequently opened the barricades at 5.58 p.m. Vehicles from the Patung Kuda direction immediately began passing through as soon as the road was cleared. The demonstrators then briefly distributed bread at the location, with some motorcyclists seen accepting the offerings.

Earlier, speakers addressed the crowd from a command vehicle, demanding to be allowed to march to the Bundaran HI roundabout or Patung Kuda. They called on the government to fulfil demands for popular sovereignty and to safeguard education in Indonesia.

‘Our demands are: first, dismantle the entire state governance system. Second, save Indonesian education. Third, civil society sovereignty. These are general demands, but this action will continue in multiple waves and will challenge the Prabowo-Gibran cabinet,’ an orator stated.

The protesters arrived at around 3.10 p.m. local time, bringing a command vehicle as they headed towards Patung Kuda. They were halted across from the BSI building, where police set up barricades and closed the road from Patung Kuda towards Gambir Station.