Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Supporters of the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB) began gathering outside Indonesia's parliament complex in Jakarta on Thursday ahead of a planned demonstration, as police deployed thousands of personnel to secure the capital amid concerns over a repeat of last year's unrest.
AMPB protesters began arriving at the parliament complex in Senayan this morning, heading toward the area in front of the DPR/MPR building and preparing banners for the rally.
Police officers were deployed both inside and outside the parliamentary compound. Gatot Subroto Road toward Slipi was also closed to traffic, with vehicles barred from passing through the area.
AMPB coordinator Supriyono, also known as Botok, had sought to reassure the public that the rally would remain peaceful.
"We have no intention of causing unrest in Jakarta," Supriyono said Wednesday, adding that AMPB supporters would travel to Jakarta to demonstrate peacefully outside parliament.
Supriyono also rejected claims that the group planned to demand the removal of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during Thursday's rally.
The demonstration is expected to draw protesters from Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia. AMPB is among the groups calling for the passage of an asset-forfeiture bill and tougher penalties for corruption, including the death penalty.
Police have deployed 18,504 personnel to secure the parliament complex and other strategic locations across Jakarta, according to authorities.
The rally comes almost exactly a year after a wave of demonstrations in August and September 2025 escalated into riots in Jakarta and several other cities.
Authorities have stepped up security ahead of this year's demonstration as they seek to prevent the protests from escalating into violence.