Reza Hery Pamungkas, Jakarta – Police detained at least 21 people allegedly attempting to provoke clashes during a student protest in central Jakarta on Tuesday, as officers blocked University of Indonesia (UI) students from entering the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
Police said the 21 people detained near the demonstration site were allegedly not members of the student groups and were suspected of attempting to provoke conflict between protesters and security forces.
Authorities did not immediately provide further details about the identities or legal status of those detained.
The protest, organized by the UI Student Executive Board (BEM UI) and joined by the National Student Front (FMN), was temporarily halted after police deployed barricades to prevent demonstrators from reaching the roundabout, the main site planned for speeches.
Tensions rose along MH Thamrin and Jenderal Sudirman roads as students attempted to move toward the protest site. Student representatives negotiated with police to allow the protesters to enter the roundabout, but their request was denied.
The students then left their vehicles and continued on foot from the direction of Sudirman railway station, eventually holding their protest near the police barricades.
The demonstration was held under the theme #MerebutKemerdekaan ("Reclaiming Independence") and featured eight demands.
The students called for stronger action against corruption, collusion and nepotism, lower prices for basic goods and fuel, and national disaster status for affected areas in Sumatra and Flores.
They also demanded a review of national strategic projects and an end to the government's Free Nutritious Meals program and Merah Putih village cooperatives.
The students further called for an end to what they described as repressive measures and military and police intervention in civilian affairs.
The demonstration was held under tight police security, with officers deployed at several points around the central Jakarta area.
By around 3 p.m., groups of students began leaving the protest site.
Traffic along Jenderal Sudirman was temporarily congested as several vehicles used by protesters were parked along the roadside.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/police-detain-21-alleged-provocateurs-at-jakarta-student-protes