Police Respond to Student's Act of Marking Police Officer's Hijab During Protest
Jakarta – Jakarta Metro Police have responded to an incident involving a student who marked or defaced the headscarf worn by a female police officer during a demonstration at National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) on Friday, 27 February 2026.
“The headscarf used by female police officers is part of their uniform and serves as a covering of private areas, and therefore should not be used as a means of expression with provocative undertones,” said Kombes Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations at Jakarta Metro Police, in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.
He also called for citizens to express their views in a more civilised manner, without actions that demean dignity or risk inflaming tensions in the field.
Budi emphasised that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) respects citizens’ right to free expression, but reminded them that such activities must remain orderly, courteous, and ethical.
“Our officers in the field serve the demonstration in a humane manner. However, the manner of expressing aspirations must also uphold ethics and respect for others,” he said.
Budi also expressed appreciation for the students’ peaceful, orderly, and safe conduct of the demonstration on Friday, 27 February. However, he noted that some students had also verbally abused police officers and written inappropriate messages on female officers’ headscarves.
“This is a lesson for us all that patience can make situations safe, conducive, and manageable,” Budi said.
Jakarta Metro Police deployed 3,992 personnel to secure the demonstration held in front of National Police Headquarters on Friday, 27 February 2026. The deployment consisted of 3,093 officers from Jakarta Metro Police, supported by personnel from subordinate police precincts. The large deployment was intended to ensure the demonstration remained orderly whilst maintaining conducive conditions for the public, particularly during the month of Ramadan.
The demonstration was organised in relation to the death of a 14-year-old Islamic school student with the initials AT, who was killed by a Brimob (Mobile Brigade) member. The protest was held at 1:00 pm at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta, as announced through the Instagram account @bemui_official.