Petir Garda Bhwana, Jakarta – The University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) is scheduled to hold a protest at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (HI Roundabout) in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to raise concerns over social, economic, and government policies as well as national sovereignty.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), following the group's departure from the University of Indonesia (UI) campus in Depok at around 11 a.m. The demonstration is expected to affect traffic flow around the HI Roundabout, prompting authorities to advise road users to plan alternative routes.
The protest comes one day after Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. BEM UI said the demonstration is not intended to celebrate independence, but to question what independence means for Indonesians today.
The students plan to raise a range of issues concerning the country's social and economic conditions and the government's policies.
BEM UI President Yatalathof Imawan said the protesters would depart from the UI campus at 11 a.m. and arrive at the HI Roundabout at 1 p.m.
"We depart from UI (Depok) at 11:00. We arrive at HI at 13:00," Yatalathof said on Monday, August 17.
He said the protest would provide students with a platform to question the state of independence experienced by Indonesians 81 years after the country declared independence.
BEM UI is putting forward eight demands during the protest. They are:
1. End state oppression of its own people.
2. End corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN).
3. Realize genuine agrarian reform.
4. Lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel.
5. Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of National Strategic Projects (PSN) and halt the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) and Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) programs.
6. End the centralization of power and the reduction of regional allowances (TKD), and restore regional autonomy.
7. Declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate recovery in disaster-affected areas.
8. End repressive actions and TNI-Polri (military and police) intervention in the civic sphere, and disband YON TP.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2117735/what-are-bem-uis-eight-demands-in-jakartas-hi-roundabout-protes