Police Officers Don Caps and Headscarves While Reciting Islamic Salutations During Student Protest at National Police Headquarters

Jakarta – A student demonstration held in front of the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) in South Jakarta on Friday afternoon, 27 February 2026, was marked by several notable scenes that captured public attention.

Hundreds of police personnel deployed to manage the protest wore distinctive white caps and headscarves as part of their uniforms. Male officers draped headscarves across their shoulders, whilst female officers wore them as head coverings or hijabs.

From atop a command vehicle, a protest organiser criticised the display, stating, “They think by wearing those white caps and headscarves they can win our hearts, friends!”

In response, Budi Hermanto, head of the Metro Jaya Police Public Affairs Division, explained that the attire was adopted as a mark of respect for the holy month of Ramadhan. “The Metro Jaya Police have a chant and Islamic salutation team. We honour the holy month of Ramadhan through the use of caps, shawls, and for female officers, white headscarves,” Hermanto told journalists on Friday.

The security operation was conducted in a humanitarian and persuasive manner, taking into account that the protest occurred during Ramadhan. “We are calling for the principle that was previously conveyed – that during expressions of aspiration, particularly in this holy month, there are norms and ethics we must uphold,” Hermanto explained.

Police personnel on duty displayed no verbal responses and maintained neutral expressions. Protesters also called out demanding to meet with the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. The crowd’s chants and protests were subsequently answered by police officers chanting Islamic salutations in response.