Police say student protest at Bundaran HI lacked official notification letter
The Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police have stated that the demonstration carried out by the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) alongside several other campus elements in the Bundaran HI area was not preceded by the submission of an official protest notification letter.
“On Thursday, 11 June 2026, at approximately 02:56 WIB, we received initial information in the form of a PDF notification letter from a UI student. However, when follow-up communication was attempted on Friday morning, the message received no response,” said the Chief of Central Jakarta Metro Police, Kombes Pol Reynold E.P. Hutagalung, in Jakarta on Sunday.
Reynold admitted to receiving initial information regarding the planned action via a WhatsApp message containing a PDF document of the notification letter.
He explained that according to the provisions in Article 10 of Law Number 9 of 1998 concerning Freedom of Expression in Public, notification of protest activities must be submitted directly by the person in charge of the activity to the police.
According to Reynold, the notification letter must be received by the local police no later than 3x24 hours before the activity commences.
“Under the regulations, the person in charge of the protest is obliged to submit the notification letter directly to the police. Up until the protest took place, no official notification letter had been received by us,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Central Jakarta Metro Police continued to provide security at the location to ensure that the expression of aspirations proceeded safely and in an orderly manner.
“We continue to provide security and services to the public. The expression of opinions in public is a right of every citizen, but its implementation must follow the applicable regulations so that the situation remains conducive,” said Kombes Reynold.
The police have urged all elements of society intending to express their aspirations to fulfil the prescribed administrative procedures, ensuring that activities can proceed safely without disturbing public order.