Student Protest at Bundaran HI: 'Don't Be Repressive'

Students from the Alliance Towards a Bankrupt Indonesia have called on police to refrain from repressive actions during their protest at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout in Jakarta on Friday, 12 June 2026. They emphasised that the demonstration was peaceful, with participants carrying no weapons and posing no security threat.

“Please don’t be repressive. We are students, not an armed criminal group. We carry no weapons. We carry the intention to improve the lives of the Indonesian people,” said Raka Andika from the University of Indonesia (UI) Brigade at the Bundaran HI.

Raka stressed that students should not be treated as enemies. He also denied accusations that the protest was being manipulated by outside parties. “Don’t treat us like enemies or criminals. We are part of society. Our intentions are sincere for the nation,” he said.

The statement came after protesters reported being blocked at several points while trying to reach Bundaran HI. The alliance accused the police of obstructing the demonstration, which had been planned for that location from the outset.

A representative of the alliance stated that a notice of the protest had been sent to the Central Jakarta Metro Police. University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) Chair Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan confirmed that Bundaran HI was the intended location, not the parliament complex. “We informed the police that the protest would be held at Bundaran HI,” he said.

The crowd reported being stopped from the Semanggi area to Dukuh Atas around midday. They were asked to halt their journey and were not permitted to proceed to the protest site.

Some participants had also planned to perform Friday prayers. However, according to UI Faculty of Law BEM Chair Dimas Rumi Chattaristo, they were denied access to a place of worship. “We said we wanted to perform Friday prayers, but no one opened the way for us,” Dimas said.

The alliance said the crowd was split at several points, including near Gelora Bung Karno, the Fairmont area, and the vicinity of the House of Representatives (DPR) complex. They reported being trapped and unable to move due to the police cordon.

UI Faculty of Biology BEM Chair Lintang said the situation nearly triggered repressive action. However, the protesters chose to avoid confrontation and conducted a long march towards the TVRI area to consolidate. “Friends from around the DPR have joined up in front of TVRI. Meanwhile, those held at Fairmont are moving there now,” Lintang said.

According to Lintang, no protesters were arrested. Nonetheless, the students view the blocking as a form of restriction on freedom of expression. They also reiterated that they had no plans to hold protests at the DPR building or the Presidential Palace. The focus remained on Bundaran HI to convey their aspirations to the public.

At around 2.30 p.m. Western Indonesian Time, the previously obstructed crowd began moving again on foot from the Gelora Bung Karno area towards Bundaran HI to continue the demonstration.