Metro Jaya Policewomen Escort 'Tani Merdeka' Protest, Demonstration Proceeds Orderly
A group of protesters from the National Board of Tani Merdeka Indonesia held a demonstration in front of the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters in South Jakarta. Policewomen from Polda Metro Jaya stepped in to provide services and escorting, ensuring the mass action proceeded orderly.
The demonstration took place in front of the main gate of Metro Jaya Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday (17/4/2026) afternoon. The participants, estimated at 200 people, demanded that constitutional law expert Feri Amsari be prosecuted.
The Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the involvement of policewomen in this activity is a manifestation of the Indonesian National Police’s humanistic service in escorting every expression of public opinion.
“We are present to provide humanistic services and security so that the activity of expressing opinions runs safely, orderly, and conducive,” said Commissioner Budi Hermanto.
According to him, the presence of policewomen is also expected to create a cooler and more communicative atmosphere during the event. Polda Metro Jaya, he said, continues to prioritise a persuasive approach while ensuring that the public’s right to express aspirations is well protected.
“We invite all protest participants to maintain order, comply with applicable rules, and respect the rights of other road users. If police assistance is needed, the public can contact the 110 service,” he added.
To support the smooth running of the action, 252 combined personnel from Polda Metro Jaya and Metro Jakarta Selatan Police Resort were deployed to the location.
In addition to providing services to the protesters, officers also carried out situational traffic management adjusted to the dynamics on the ground. This step was taken to anticipate vehicle congestion around the location, ensuring that public activities and road users proceed smoothly.
Feri Amsari Reported to Police
Constitutional law expert Feri Amsari was reported by the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Tani Nusantara to Polda Metro Jaya. Feri was reported following his criticism regarding the government’s food self-sufficiency.
The report against Feri has been registered with number LP/B/2692/IV/2026/SPKT Polda Metro Jaya dated 17 April 2026. Feri Amsari was reported in connection with Article 264 of the Criminal Code on the criminal offence of spreading false news.
“Today, we at LBH Tani Nusantara are reporting Mr Feri Amsari for alleged criminal acts under the article on spreading hoaxes and incitement,” said the advocacy team of LBH Tani, Itho Simamora, to reporters at Polda Metro Jaya on Friday (17/4/2026).
He detailed that the statement by Feri Amsari in question is criticism claiming that the government is lying about food self-sufficiency. Itho said Feri’s statement is inciting and triggers division.
“The statement by Feri Amsari is about incitement and can cause division among farmers and traders throughout Indonesia. Because of the food self-sufficiency statement, the claim that the government is lying, it triggers public unrest,” he said.
Itho claimed to have obtained data from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) indicating that Indonesia has a rice surplus. Therefore, Itho said Feri’s statement is incorrect and disturbing.
“Feri Amsari’s statement is that there is no import, and the facts from the Ministry of Agriculture show that based on 2025 to 2026. And on food self-sufficiency, we also have evidence of rice surplus from the Ministry of Agriculture. So when Feri Amsari says there is no self-sufficiency, it is very disturbing to farmers,” he explained.
Another advocacy team member from LBH Tani Nusantara, Dedi, added that they felt disturbed by Feri Amsari’s statement. He challenged Feri to prove his statement regarding food self-sufficiency.
“We hope that Mr Feri Amsari can indeed prove what he stated. We use data from BPS, then we get information from the Ministry of Agriculture; I think that data is sufficiently valid. With the statements given by Feri Amsari, this will cause unrest,” he said.
Dedi said they attached several pieces of evidence, including digital data containing Feri’s statements regarding food self-sufficiency.
The detikcom editorial team has contacted Feri Amsari to seek his response regarding the report. However, until this news was published, there has been no response from him.