Security forces on standby outside Constitutional Court ahead of protest over MBG budget ruling
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A number of security personnel were on standby outside the Constitutional Court (MK) building in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, ahead of a solidarity action supporting the court’s judicial review ruling on the education budget allocation in the 2026 state budget (APBN), which is being used to fund the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
Based on observations at the scene, police officers were stationed in the park area in front of the Constitutional Court building.
Meanwhile, crowds from various universities scheduled to stage the action at 13:00 WIB had not yet arrived at the location.
The area in front of the Constitutional Court remained relatively quiet, with no gathering of crowds.
However, several people could be seen waiting for the arrival of protesters whilst sitting along the edge of the pavement.
In addition, a number of food and beverage vendors had also begun enlivening the pavement area in front of the Constitutional Court building.
Earlier, students from the University of Indonesia (UI) were set to hold a solidarity action supporting the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the judicial review of the education budget allocation in the 2026 state budget for financing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme on Thursday afternoon.
Chairman of the UI Faculty of Law (FH) Student Executive Board (BEM), Anandaku Dimas Rumi Chattaristo, confirmed that UI students would take part in the solidarity action at the Constitutional Court building at 13:00 WIB.
“That’s right, we (BEM UI) will be joining the action, but this is a solidarity action, so it is not solely a BEM UI action. We are open and it is not limited as to who may attend,” said Dimas when contacted in Jakarta on Thursday.
Dimas said the solidarity action would involve student elements and a number of civil society coalition alliance groups.
He emphasised that the action was open to all members of the public in order to safeguard the Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding the budget allocation for MBG financing.
“We are opening this action widely to UI students and non-students alike. I believe anyone may and should come to the Constitutional Court this afternoon to take part in safeguarding it,” said Dimas.