Yuni Rohmawati, Jakarta – The Chief of the Palembang Metropolitan Police, Grand Commissioner Harryo Sugiharrtono, said 2 groups of protesters would carry out the Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia) rally centered in front of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Office of South Sumatra on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Harryo stated that, in the first group, around 500 students from the Raden Fatah National Islamic University of Palembang participated in the protest, an action that spread across Indonesia. Harryo mentioned that there would be more participants in the second group from other campuses such as Sriwijaya University, PGRI Palembang University, Muhammadiyah Palembang University, and others.
"Thus, the total number of participants recorded will be 1,300. But they are divided into two groups, with some joining later at 2 p.m.," Harryo told Tempo at the rally location.
From Tempo's observation at the location, the demonstrators continued to arrive from the same alma mater and began to enter the South Sumatra DPRD Office at 11:50 a.m. Some brought banners with demands regarding free nutritious meals (MBG), lecturer performance allowances (Tukin), and other demands.
Harryo said the protest will not run until the evening, considering the demands will be conveyed to the House of Representatives. Therefore, he said, an afternoon rally is sufficient.
"Protesting until night would be pointless since the demands will be conveyed to the central government. However, we still appreciate the students for expressing their aspirations in the Indonesia Gelap rally," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the police had deployed 541 personnel to guard the rally, and they would be followed by a reserve force from the Mobile Brigade (Brimob).