Demonstration Planned for 28 October; Pramono Says Schools Will Operate as Usual

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung hopes a demonstration planned by a coalition of community groups and students at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout on Wednesday afternoon (28 October) will proceed peacefully and in an orderly manner.

He said the planned protest would not affect school activities.

“There will be no distance learning today, so pupils should attend as usual. I hope the democratic expression on display will proceed well,” Pramono said at Jakarta City Hall in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (28 October).

Pramono stressed that Jakarta belongs to everyone and should therefore be looked after collectively.

He also said he respected demonstrations as part of the public’s democratic rights, protected by the Constitution as the right to express opinions. Nevertheless, he hoped the protest would remain orderly and would not inconvenience other residents.

“As Jakarta Governor, I sincerely hope demonstrations, whether today or in the future, can take place properly and in an orderly manner, without disturbing public comfort,” Pramono said.

A day earlier, Pramono had also said he hoped any demonstration would proceed comfortably. He referred to security measures by the police and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

“I truly hope the police, assisted by the TNI, and all of us will ensure that tomorrow’s demonstration in Jakarta, if it goes ahead, is peaceful and comfortable,” Pramono said in North Jakarta on Tuesday evening (27 October).

Several demonstrations have been scheduled to take place in Jakarta on Wednesday (28 October). Student organisations, including the student executive bodies (BEM) of the University of Indonesia, Diponegoro University and Brawijaya University, are due to hold the #IndonesiaSadar action at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout at 2pm Western Indonesian Time.

The protest is putting forward five demands to President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The demands concern declaring a national disaster, ensuring the state budget serves the public interest, reducing education costs, eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism, and ending the militarisation of civilian spaces.

According to a post on the University of Indonesia BEM’s social media account, the joint demonstration is scheduled to begin at around 2pm at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout under the banner #IndonesiaSadar. The post was shared in collaboration with student bodies from several other universities.

Jakarta police response

In response to the planned demonstration, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) called on all members of the public to work together to protect public facilities and spaces during the protest on Wednesday (28 October).

Police also emphasised the importance of mutual respect and maintaining order so people can express their views safely and peacefully, while other residents’ activities continue without disruption.

Polda Metro Jaya public relations chief Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto said public spaces are shared places used for various purposes, including expressing aspirations, working, attending school and carrying out daily activities. He said all parties should respect one another and safeguard each other’s rights.

“Public spaces belong to all of us. Some people are expressing their aspirations, while others are working, going to school and carrying out their daily activities. Everyone has rights that we must respect,” Budi said in a written statement on Tuesday.

Budi said protecting public facilities was a shared responsibility because they directly serve the needs of the community.

The Polda Metro Jaya Traffic Directorate advised residents to avoid four areas in Central Jakarta, where congestion was expected as a result of demonstrations on Wednesday (28 October).

The areas are around the House of Representatives and People’s Consultative Assembly building, the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, the National Monument and Tugu Tani. Residents were also advised to use alternative routes to avoid traffic in those areas.