Dani Aswara, Jakarta – A clash between the police and a group of protesters broke out around Gerbang Pemuda street, Senayan area, on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Both sides started hurling stones at each other after the police attempted to push back people who were trying to move towards the parliament complex.
At around 03:30 p.m. local time, as observed by Tempo, the situation grew tense around Gerbang Pemuda street. The protesters, who had previously only thrown bottles and firecrackers at the personnel, began to pick up stones from the side of the road and throw them towards the police. The officers on the front line responded with similar throws, alongside tear gas shots into the crowd of protesters.
The clash triggered a complete standstill in the traffic surrounding the area. Protesters, who were pushed back towards Asia Africa street, fought back by hurling solid objects, while the police responded with a water cannon. The situation escalated further when some of the protesters attempted to push towards the police line while carrying bamboo sticks.
The clash lasted for about half an hour before the crowd was pushed back towards Asia Africa street. The officers kept an impenetrable access toward the DPR building while blocking the roads near Mulia Senayan Hotel as well.
Tensions lasted well into the afternoon. At around 05:30 p.m. local time, the protesters briefly pressed the police line on Asia Africa street. Stone-throwing resumed, followed by the burning of road dividers and firecracker explosions.
This protest was initially initiated by the Coalition of Labor Unions together with the Labor Party. However, since 12:00 p.m., thousands of workers who had been gathering in the area since morning began to disperse. A wave of students from various campuses then took over the course of the protest, leading to the clash.