Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The police have arrested several students who were planning to participate in a protest in front of the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly (DPR/MPR) building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, August 28, 2025. The police made arrests at various locations around the protest site.
Based on Tempo's observation, the police made the arrests of two students in the flyover area of Slipi-Grogol. "Three were apprehended, two of whom are schoolchildren," said one of the police officers when confirmed by Tempo.
According to the police, the three individuals detained will first have their identities documented. "But it is ensured that they are not carrying sharp weapons," said the officer who preferred not to be named.
The police also detained a group of students in the Palmerah Station area. The children were still wearing their school uniforms and were suspected of wanting to join the protesting crowd.
In a photo received by Tempo, about five to 10 students were seen gathered by the police. "Earlier, some tried to run, but were chased and apprehended," said Abdul (21 years old), one of the train passengers to Tempo.
Abdul recounted that police officers in full uniform were also seen guarding the Tanah Abang Station area. The police officers were seen securing the station's entrance and exit stairs. "I don't know for what purpose the police guard is," said Abdul.
Several Departments of Education had previously issued a ban on students participating in protests today. One of them is an instruction letter from the Head of the Education and Culture Department of Banten Province dated August 27, 2025.
The Head of the Education and Culture Department of Banten Province, Lukman, asked all high school and vocational school principals to supervise and monitor students to ensure they do not participate protest today. "To ensure safety and security, as well as to ensure the teaching and learning process in schools runs smoothly," the letter read.
Previously, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti also urged students across Indonesia not to be involved in protests or demonstrations. "We urge students across Indonesia not to be provoked by news that cannot be accounted for its accuracy," said Mu'ti, Wednesday, August 27, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
The Head of the Public Relations Division of the Jakarta Metro Police, Ade Ary Syam Indradi, also urged all students not to participate in protests. "This is actually unnecessary. Students' duty is to study, and this is school hours," said Ade, Monday, August 25, 2025.
– Dinda Shabrina and Nabiila Azzahra contributed to the writing of this article