Residents Open Solidarity Post, Provide Food and Medicine for Protesters at Hotel Indonesia Roundabout
A number of volunteers staged a solidarity action for the student masses holding a demonstration at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout in Central Jakarta. They brought food, drinks, and medicines to support the protesters.
Based on monitoring at the location on Friday (12/6/2026), the post was situated near the Tosari bus stop on Jalan Sudirman, Central Jakarta. A banner reading ‘Donasi Warga Threads untuk Warga Indonesia’ (Threads Residents’ Donation for Indonesian Citizens) was displayed near the volunteers’ post. Boxes containing drinks, snacks, Oxycan, and medicines were visible at the site. The volunteers at the post were seen wearing cream-coloured vests.
One of the volunteers at the location, Zaskia Mecca, said they came to support the action initiated by the students. She stated that the students’ demands align with the complaints of many citizens. “When the students said on social media that they were going to take to the streets, I immediately thought about how I could be useful for this movement because the five points voiced by the students are in line with what I hope for,” said Zaskia.
Zaskia mentioned that three ambulances and medical equipment were prepared at the post. She said the volunteers at the post had been preparing logistics since the morning. “Many people sent snacks and drinks, and we don’t even know who sent them,” she said.
Police Prepare Security
Previously, the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) planned to hold a demonstration at the HI Roundabout in Jakarta today. A total of 4,151 joint personnel were deployed to secure the action. “4,151 joint personnel were prepared for the security operation. The breakdown is 3,651 police personnel and 500 military personnel,” said Polda Metro Jaya Public Relations Head, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, in his statement.
Budi said the police respect the public’s right to express opinions in public. The security measures are intended to ensure the activity proceeds safely, orderly, and without disrupting other public activities. “Polda Metro Jaya respects the rights of citizens to express opinions in public. The presence of personnel on the ground is to provide service and security so that the activity runs safely, orderly, and does not disturb other members of the public,” he explained.
UI Students Depart for HI
UI students also departed for the HI Roundabout. They left from the FISIP UI field in Depok around 10:20 WIB. The crowd wore black clothing with their university alma mater jackets. They were seen carrying numerous banners reading ‘Menuju Indonesia Bangkrut’ (Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia) and ‘Sweet 18 Rupiahku’ (Sweet 18 My Rupiah). They appeared to be giving speeches before departing. The crowd then departed using public minivans and buses to head to the HI Roundabout. University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) Chair Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan said the crowd consisted of BEM PNJ, BEM Pancasila, BEM NF, IPB, UIN, and others. “Job opportunities are increasingly narrow, all prices have risen, and taxes are still imposed on the lower-middle class, including the poor,” he said.