Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Protesters from several universities, student movement organizations, and civil society organizations began to gather around the Thamrin Nine building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. They aimed to hold a protest to highlight various national issues on Youth Pledge Day, October 28.

According to field observations, around 2:30 p.m. local time, the masses began arriving, waving the flags of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the University of Indonesia (UI), BEM of Airlangga University, the National Student Front (FMN), the Indonesian Women's Union (Seruni), and the Indonesian Reformers. They intended to go to Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout. However, police set up barricades to stop them from moving toward the HI Roundabout.

The Social and Political Coordinator of BEM UI, Hafidz Hernanda, was seen coordinating the protesters to enter the HI Roundabout area. However, the police stopped them.

BEM UI had previously invited the public to take to the streets for a protest at the HI Roundabout in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Coinciding with Youth Pledge Day, the action titled #IndonesiaSadar was scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.

BEM UI extended this invitation through their official Instagram account. They discussed various national issues and policies that are not favorable to the people, as well as the state of democratic space in Indonesia.

"Amid various unresolved issues, policies that increasingly diverge from the interests of the people, and power that seems to run uncontrolled, it is time for the people to voice out and reclaim the democratic space that is their right," wrote BEM UI in its post on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

BEM UI also urged various elements of society to get involved in the action. "Calling everyone to take to the streets," the account wrote.

In this demonstration, BEM UI brought five demands. One is reducing education costs and improving the education system.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2122530/october-28-protesters-unable-to-reach-jakartas-hi-roundabou