University of Indonesia Clarifies Identity of Yellow-Jacketed Man in Police Headquarters Protest

JAKARTA — A man wearing a yellow university jacket who went viral whilst shouting and pointing at a police officer during a demonstration in front of the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) in South Jakarta has been clarified by the University of Indonesia (UI) to not be a student of their institution, despite wearing a jacket identical to UI’s official attire.

The university’s Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs, Erwin Panigoro, stated that the campus had conducted identity verification through official sources, including the Executive Board of Students from the Faculty of Administrative Sciences (BEM FIA) UI and the Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI).

The investigation revealed that the man is recorded as an active student at another higher education institution.

UI also expressed objection to the use of attributes resembling the official identity of the campus. “UI also objects to the use of institutional symbols and attributes without authorisation and without confirmation,” Panigoro stated.

According to Erwin, the unauthorised use of such attributes could create public misunderstanding and damage the institution’s reputation.

UI affirmed that freedom of expression is part of democracy. However, the expression of aspirations must be carried out peacefully and responsibly, in accordance with academic values such as integrity, critical thinking, and respect for the law.

“UI is committed to maintaining the dignity of the institution and supporting the expression of constructive, orderly aspirations that align with democratic principles,” he added.

The viral video showed the man in the yellow jacket pointing his index finger directly in front of the face of a police officer on duty. Following the incident, the man with the initials SH provided an explanation.