Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Jakarta Provincial Government speaks out about the issue of several CCTVs in the vicinity of Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout being non-functional. The news about the malfunctioning surveillance cameras emerged during an ongoing protest by hundreds of students.
The Spokesperson for Jakarta Governor, Cyril Raoul Hakim, also known as Chico Hakim, denied the news that the CCTV cameras in the HI Roundabout area were not functioning. "We have ten (CCTV cameras), and they are not non-functional," Chico stated on Friday, June 12, 2026.
Chico says that due to technical issues, it is possible that the public cannot access several CCTV cameras. "Even if it is slow, it's because many people are trying to access (the cameras)," Chico said.
Chico revealed that many other CCTV cameras in the HI Roundabout area do not belong to the Jakarta Provincial Government. However, Chico could not confirm whether these cameras were operational or non-functional during the demonstration.
Previously, social media account Threads with the username @corneliusvito claimed that the CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the HI Roundabout were completely non-functional. "All CCTV cameras in Central Jakarta are non-functional, whereas the example of MT Haryono shows that its CCTV is functioning. Stay safe!" the account wrote.
Based on Tempo's observation at the protest location, several elements of students from various universities participated. These included students from the University of Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), and Pancasila University.
The masses at the location were not allowed to move towards the HI Roundabout. They were blocked by a barricade formed by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
The Head of the Public Relations Division of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that they prohibited protests in the HI Roundabout area. "The location is not designated for expressing aspirations," Budi said on Friday, June 12, 2026.
According to Budi, the HI Roundabout area is a center for economic activities and community events. "The Directorate of Intelligence of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Department has communicated with relevant parties to direct the point of expressing aspirations to the area near the Horse Statue or the front of the DPR/MPR (parliament) building," Budi stated.
Previously, the Chair of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the University of Indonesia, Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan, stated that UI students along with other elements would hold a protest titled #Indonesiamenujubangkrut (Indonesia Toward Bankruptcy) at the HI Roundabout. Other organizations involved included the Student Executive Board of IPB, PNJ, Pancasila University, and the Alliance of Gunadarma University's Student Executive Boards.
According to Athof, they have 5 demands to voice. The first is to stop wasting state funds. The second is to reduce the prices of necessities and fuel.
The third is to stop the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) and the construction of the Red-and-White Village Cooperative. "Stop militarism in the civilian domain, and finally, Prabowo must stop evading and acknowledge the government's mistakes," he said.
– Ricky Juliansyah contributed to this article