National Education Day Protesters and Police Clash Again in Central Jakarta, Throwing Bottles

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Student protesters demonstrating for National Education Day on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta clashed again with police on Saturday afternoon (2/5/2026). The second confrontation between the protesters and authorities began around 5:55 PM WIB and lasted for approximately 15 minutes. The unrest stemmed from an ultimatum from the students that was not met, namely their demand for government officials to meet with them and receive their aspirations. After the students formed a barricade, instructions were given by the coordinator from atop the command vehicle. “Revolution! Revolution! Revolution!” the crowd shouted as they ran and breached the barricade. They repeatedly retreated and reformed their lines, then charged again, pulling and kicking at the police barricades. One barricade on the left side of the road was successfully toppled, leading to direct physical clashes between the officers and the protesters. Some protesters also struck the barricades with bamboo sticks. An off-duty police officer then calmed the situation and instructed his colleagues not to resist or provoke the crowd. Following that, the disturbance was successfully subdued, and the situation returned to normal around 6:10 PM WIB. The action then concluded with the reading of a statement of position and demands before the crowd dispersed. In this action, BEM SI presented 10 main demands to the government of President Prabowo Subianto, including: