Police Clarify Viral Video of Intel Officer Detained by Students at UMY Campus

A video went viral on social media showing students detaining a man suspected of being an intelligence officer who had infiltrated the Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY) campus. The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday afternoon (17/6) after students and community groups held a demonstration at Yogyakarta’s Zero Kilometre Point.

‘Laki-laki yang diduga intel masuk ke area kampus UMY (17/6). Massa mahasiswa berhasil menangkap dan mengamankannya,’ a social media post stated.

Responding to the viral footage, Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) spokesperson, Senior Commissioner Ihsan, confirmed the man was indeed a police officer. He explained the individual was an official personnel assigned under a written order to provide security for the public expression of opinion.

‘Regarding the video circulating on social media, we confirm that the man in the video is a member of Polda DIY and an officer officially involved in the service order for the delivery of public opinion carried out yesterday at the Zero Kilometre Point,’ Ihsan said in a statement on Thursday (18/6/2026).

He clarified the officer’s presence on campus was part of a monitoring assignment to ensure the demonstrators returned safely. ‘Personnel at the location, whether in uniform or plainclothes, were part of the service to escort and ensure the protest participants returned to campus safely and soundly,’ he explained.

Ihsan added the misunderstanding had been resolved humanely through good communication and coordination with the university rectorate and students. ‘The situation is currently conducive. We thank the rectorate and students for the excellent communication and coordination, allowing this misunderstanding to be resolved properly, and our member has returned to the Polda,’ he concluded.