May Day Commemoration in Bandung Turns Chaotic with Police Post Set Ablaze, Several People Arrested
A May Day commemoration in Bandung, West Java, on Friday, 1 May 2026, was marred by unrest and anarchic actions from a group suspected of infiltrating the demonstration. Earlier, a student protest in front of the West Java Provincial Legislative Council building proceeded peacefully and orderly, but as evening approached, the situation turned chaotic, sparking anarchic behaviour.
The unrest occurred in the Tamansari Dago Cikapayang area on Jalan Tamansari, where a group dressed entirely in black engaged in anarchic acts by damaging and burning public facilities, including a nearby police post.
In amateur video footage capturing the chaotic incident, the black-clad crowd could be seen burning and destroying several public facilities. As officers attempted to disperse the action, clashes became inevitable. As a result, traffic flow on Jalan Tamansari was temporarily disrupted.
Police managed to contain the situation and push back the anarchic group. Several individuals suspected of being infiltrators were secured. They had also briefly stopped passing motorists at the scene. From the hands of the suspected perpetrators, officers seized evidence believed to be Molotov cocktails.
The West Java Police Chief, Inspector General Rudi Setiawan, stated that the situation was now under control and the group responsible for the criminal acts had dispersed.
“The situation is now conducive, traffic is flowing smoothly again, and we have secured several members of the group that caused the unrest, including evidence of Molotov cocktails,” said West Java Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Setiawan on Friday evening.
Police, along with the Indonesian National Armed Forces and local government, remain on alert at the location to anticipate any unwanted incidents. Officers continue to be deployed to maintain security and prevent follow-up unrest.
Workers’ Day Demands
Earlier, on Friday afternoon, the student action in front of the West Java Provincial Legislative Council building proceeded smoothly. Students from various universities voiced seven demands to the government. Among them was an urgent call for the ratification of a new labour law guaranteeing workplace safety and social security.
In addition, the students demanded the elimination of the outsourcing system and low-wage practices. They also urged the government to halt waves of layoffs and control imports to protect the domestic industry.