Hotel Sultan Land Execution Turns Chaotic, Deputy Minister Oversees Eviction

The execution of a court order to vacate the land and buildings of Hotel Sultan in the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, turned tense and chaotic on Thursday (18/6). A shoving match broke out as joint security personnel attempted to breach barricades erected by a crowd resisting the eviction. Based on observations at the scene, a number of workers and sympathisers of the hotel mounted fierce resistance to obstruct court bailiffs. The crowd temporarily held several main access points to prevent officers from reading out the execution order. The execution was directly monitored by Deputy State Secretariat Minister Bambang Eko Suharyanto. The minister was accompanied by directors of the Gelora Bung Karno Complex Management Centre (PPKGBK) and security personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP). Despite facing intense resistance, the heavy security presence eventually allowed officers to force their way into the hotel area. After the barricades were breached, officers immediately began the eviction process, starting with data collection, inventory, and securing all items inside the building. This execution is a follow-up to a legally binding ruling from the Central Jakarta District Court regarding a land dispute that has lasted for years. However, the management of Hotel Sultan and PT Indobuildco, the previous operator, stated they still object to the forced eviction. As of Thursday afternoon, the process of clearing the hotel’s interior continued under tight guard by joint security forces. Several roads leading to the Hotel Sultan area were also cordoned off to prevent further disturbances. The government emphasised that the takeover of the land is an effort to safeguard state assets managed by PPKGBK. Officers continued sterilising the entire hotel area to ensure the transition process proceeds in accordance with applicable legal procedures.