Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Personnel from the Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police intercepted the Bung Karno University Student Executive Board (BEM UBK) who were planning to hold a protest in the Tugu Tani area, Central Jakarta.
Based on Tempo's observation at the location, the police created a live barricade to block the entire Tugu Tani road towards East Merdeka Square Road, resulting in a police interception. The interception was met with pushing and shoving by the students.
"Open up! We only want to convey the aspirations of the people!" said the students to the officers on duty on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The interception paralyzed traffic in the Tugu Tani area for about 12 minutes. Subsequently, the BEM UBK coordinator attempted to negotiate with the on-duty police officer.
The BEM UBK questioned the police's action in intercepting the movement of the masses towards the Patung Kuda (Horse Statue) area. "What is the reason for us to be prevented from going there (Patung Kuda area)? The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression," said BEM UBK Coordinator M. Abdi Maludin.
In today's protest, the BEM UBK and its alliance carried the theme of "Reshape Indonesia," bringing six demands to President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
These six demands include temporarily halting and evaluating the free nutritious meal (MBG) project and the Red-and-White Village Cooperative; reviewing the Police Law.
Subsequently, stopping militarism and upholding civilian supremacy; urging the government to take strategic measures to maintain the stability of the rupiah exchange rate and national economic resilience; demanding that the government provide inclusive, quality, and affordable education for the entire Indonesian population. "Finally, we demand that the government review the increase in fuel prices because it burdens the people," said Abdi.
Regarding the increase in participants, Abdi stated that the BEM UBK had estimated an attendance of 200 people. However, the number of masses was confirmed to increase with the participation of several other campus organizations.
As for the "Reshape Indonesia" protest, this was based on internal consolidation and studies by the BEM at UBK, which observed that the country was in a dire state. According to Abdi, this condition can be seen in the emergence of various demands, ranging from calls for a Second Reformation to demands to stop the MBG.
Previously, student protests were also held by the University of Indonesia's BEM alliance on Friday, June 12, 2026. The planned action in the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout area was unsuccessful after the mass action was intercepted by the joint forces of the police and military in the Sudirman-MH Thamrin area.
The police argued that protests were not permitted in the HI Roundabout area, considering that the Jakarta Governor's Regulation declared the area a business and traffic epicenter. Nevertheless, the masses still conveyed their aspirations on Sudirman-MH Thamrin Street.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2108662/police-intercept-ubk-students-heading-to-protest-at-tugu-tan