Student Protest Triggers Closure of Jalan Sudirman, Gridlock Ensues

A student demonstration in the Jalan Jenderal Sudirman area of Central Jakarta on Monday (15/6/2026) caused severe traffic disruption. Police implemented a temporary closure of the Sudirman thoroughfare heading towards the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout to manage the movement of protesters. Based on monitoring at the scene, police officers cordoned off a group of students in front of the Jakarta Mori Tower building. The measure was taken because the protesters were not permitted to continue their demonstration at the Bundaran HI area, which is a vital point in the capital. As a result of the road closure and security measures, a number of motorists were forced to spend considerably more time on their journeys. Some members of the public were even seen disembarking from their vehicles to observe the situation around the protest site. Officers also diverted traffic to several alternative routes in an effort to alleviate congestion. Nevertheless, gridlock persisted and was reported to have tailed back for several kilometres from the protest location. Traffic conditions around Sudirman were temporarily paralysed. Vehicles from both directions were almost unable to pass, with only a small fraction still able to move amid tight police security. One of the student groups participating in the protest was the Student Executive Board (BEM) of UHAMKA University. Before reaching the main protest site, the group of students was reportedly intercepted by officers in the Semanggi Flyover area. Until late afternoon, officers remained on standby at several points to keep the situation conducive and to anticipate potential security and traffic disruptions around the protest location.