University of Indonesia Defends Student in Yellow Jacket Pointing at Police During Protest

A prolonged controversy has erupted following the actions of a protester wearing a yellow faculty jacket outside National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, 27 February 2026.

The University of Indonesia Students Executive Board (BEM UI) has clarified that the individual, identified as SB, is not a University of Indonesia student. Meanwhile, UI has formally objected to the use of official campus insignia by individuals from other institutions.

Muhammad Hafidz Haernanda, the BEM UI Coordinator for Social and Political Affairs, stated that his organisation only discovered SB’s identity after the protest concluded. According to information received, SB is an active student at Jakarta State Polytechnic (PNJ).

Haernanda explained that, based on available information, SB obtained the faculty jacket from an acquaintance at UI to wear during the protest. “He only wore the jacket. From our perspective, we simply wanted to clarify that he is not a UI student, and beyond that, his actions were not improper,” Haernanda stated. “He had no malicious intent whatsoever,” he added.

Separately, the University of Indonesia has formally objected to the use of the yellow faculty jacket, which is closely identified with the institution, by students from other campuses.

Erwin Panigoro, UI’s Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs, expressed concern that unauthorised use of institutional symbols could create public confusion. “UI has formally objected to the use of institutional symbols without authorisation and without prior confirmation,” he stated.

Meanwhile, PNJ has summoned SB for questioning. The institution stated it would pursue the matter internally in accordance with Student Conduct Regulations and the Student Code of Ethics.

Nurul Intan Pratiwi, PNJ’s Vice Director of Student Affairs, noted that SB was not listed as part of any officially coordinated protest group by PNJ student organisations. “The individual recorded in the video was not registered as part of the protest group coordinated by PNJ student organisations and is known to have attended on a personal basis outside official coordination,” Pratiwi stated on Monday.

The incident involved a man in a yellow faculty jacket filmed shouting whilst pointing at police officers on duty during the demonstration outside National Police Headquarters.