Protesters Attempt to Breach Barricade, Clash with Security Forces

A group of demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades set up around Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta, on Friday (12/6).

According to observations, joint TNI-Polri security forces had been repelling the crowd, which consisted mostly of students, since 14:30 WIB. Authorities prevented the protesters from proceeding with their demonstration at the Bundaran HI roundabout.

At the scene, in addition to students wearing university almamater jackets, there were also participants not wearing university insignia. Several instances of pushing and shoving occurred between the protesters and the security forces.

Authorities pushed back the crowd attempting to break through the barricades, and there were several instances of mineral water bottles being thrown.

One of the groups involved in today’s action was BEM UI. They brought five specific demands to the protest.

First, they demanded that the government stop wasting the State Budget (APBN). Second, they called for a reduction in the prices of basic necessities and fuel.

Third, they demanded an end to the MBG programme and the development of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative. Fourth, they called for an end to civilian militarism.

The fifth and final demand was for President Prabowo Subianto to stop evading responsibility and to acknowledge the government’s mistakes.