Government and Parliament Respond to TNI Involvement in Protest Security
Security for the student demonstration titled ‘Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia’ on 12 June was not solely conducted by the police. Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers were also deployed to secure the protest. In Jakarta, hundreds of TNI members joined in blocking the student alliance’s movement towards the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. Together with the police, the soldiers formed barricades to close road access to the planned protest site.
Head of the TNI Information Centre, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, stated that the military’s involvement in securing the protest was carried out according to applicable mechanisms. He said the deployment was based on a request from the police. ‘It is in the nature of assistance to the National Police,’ he said on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
The TNI’s involvement in securing the student demonstration drew responses from several parties.
Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai stated that the security operation involving the TNI complied with existing regulations. This includes the blocking action taken by security forces alongside state defence personnel. He explained that preventing students from demonstrating at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout area was in line with Jakarta Governor Regulation Number 232 of 2015 concerning the Control of Public Expression of Opinion in Open Spaces. ‘There are rules regarding demonstrations in business and traffic areas. No regulations were violated by the authorities regarding the blocking,’ Pigai said when contacted on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
He expressed support for the students’ actions in expressing opinions in public. However, he noted it is also important to understand that authorities are permitted to impose restrictions. According to Pigai, in the context of human rights, the Siracusa Principles grant authorities the power to impose restrictions based on certain considerations, for example, the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout area being an epicentre of business and traffic. Under these principles, both demonstrators and officers on duty have a mutual responsibility to respect other civil rights, including public order. ‘So, it is in accordance with the Siracusa human rights principles, that demonstrations cannot be held at this point, only at other points due to considerations of traffic congestion or other strategic factors. However, I appreciate the students for continuing to voice the people’s rights,’ said the former Commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights.
Deputy Speaker of House Commission I, Dave Laksono, stated that in principle, securing demonstrations is the responsibility of the police as law enforcement officers. However, he said the possibility of involving the TNI cannot be ruled out. ‘To ensure public order is maintained,’ he said when contacted on Saturday, 13 June 2026. Furthermore, Dave continued, the TNI has the primary mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. In carrying out this task, the defence institution has a role alongside the police, particularly in conditions requiring the maintenance of national stability. ‘We believe that synergy between defence and law enforcement apparatus is key to maintaining state stability,’ Dave stated. Nevertheless, he reminded that coordination between the two institutions in securing protests must be carried out properly. ‘The most important thing is that every step remains within the legal corridor, respects civil rights, and maintains public trust in state institutions,’ said the Golkar Party politician.
The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform criticised the deployment of the TNI in escorting student demonstrations at several points in Jakarta on Friday, 12 June 2026. They assessed the move as misguided, inconsistent with democratic principles, and potentially causing legal problems. The coalition consists of several organisations, including Imparsial, Amnesty International Indonesia, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, KontraS, Dejure, the Indonesia Risk Center, and various other community organisations. The coalition stated that handling protests is the domain of civilian security forces, especially the Indonesian National Police. ‘Military mobilisation should only be a last resort when all civilian apparatus is no longer able to control the existing situation,’ read the joint statement.