Lebak Regent Holds Talks With Students After Schedule Miscommunication During Demonstration

Hundreds of students demonstrated in Lebak Regency on Monday, 2 March 2026, prompting speculation about the absence of the Regent from the protest and sparking tensions at the site before the regional government issued an official clarification. The Lebak Regency Government emphasised that the Regent never intended to shirk the students’ demonstration. Acting Regional Secretary (Plt Sekda) Halson Nainggolan said the Regent had prepared to receive the demonstrators in line with the schedule set out in their notification letter. ‘In fact on that day, the Regent had been waiting for the attendance of the student alliance since 08:00 WIB, as per their notification to the police that the action would take place on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 08:00 WIB,’ Halson said in a written statement on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. However, by noon the demonstrators had not yet arrived at the venue. Because he had other urgent official duties, the Regent left the site after 13:00 WIB to carry out his next assignment. Meanwhile, the demonstrators only arrived at the Regent’s Pendopo around 13:30 WIB, by which time the Regent already had to attend another engagement. As a gesture of goodwill and in respect of democratic values, the Regent nevertheless tasked the Vice Regent to meet the students in the afternoon. It was also revealed that the Regent had previously instructed the setting up of tents at the protest site to anticipate rain and provide comfort for the students. Although tensions arose due to miscommunication about the schedule, the Lebak Regent ultimately received the student delegation in person in the evening at around 20:30 WIB. The meeting was constructive and produced several concrete solutions. Both sides agreed to form a Focus Collective for Solutions (Fokus). This forum will serve as a conduit for periodic evaluation of government programmes and is planned to be held twice in three months. Kumala Coordinator Rohimin, who attended the meeting, praised the Regent’s move. He said that although there was initial disappointment, the Regent’s explanations and the formation of the Fokus forum created a positive and constructive space for dialogue. ‘What matters is that this protest is not merely symbolic, but opens real channels for solutions for the people,’ Rohimin asserted. With the formation of this forum, it is hoped that communication between student groups and the Lebak Regency Government will be more effective, open, and targeted, ensuring that in future there are no information bottlenecks or miscommunications in voicing aspirations. Also watch the video ‘Polda Metro Explains Why Police Wear Peci-Syal While Securing the Demonstration’.