TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police said a student-led protest dubbed “Toward Indonesia Bankruptcy” was held without the required notification letter, disputing organizers' claims that they had informed authorities in advance.
Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesperson Commissioner Budi Hermanto said police had verified the matter with relevant parties and found no record of a notification being received.
“As of now, there is no such letter,” Budi said on Friday, June 12.
He rejected claims by the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) that organizers had formally submitted a notification but received no response from authorities.
“We have checked the matter,” Budi told reporters.
According to Budi, a notification letter is a mandatory requirement for public demonstrations under Indonesia’s Law No. 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression in Public.
Students Dispute Police Claim
The police statement contradicted remarks by Anandaku Dimas Rumi, chair of the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Law (BEM FH UI), who said organizers had submitted the notification well before the protest.
“We also publicized the rally points and other information through social media,” Dimas said.
Dimas accused police of attempting to redirect the demonstration from the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout to the area in front of the House of Representatives (DPR/MPR) complex.
“The police did not provide any reason at all,” he said.
Protesters Bring Five Demands
Hundreds of students and members of civil society took part in the protest in Jakarta's Sudirman area on Friday. The demonstration continued until around 10 p.m. local time after security forces prevented protesters from reaching the HI Roundabout.
Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan, chair of BEM UI, said demonstrators brought five demands to the rally.
The protesters called on the government to curb what they described as wasteful state spending and lower the prices of basic goods and fuel.
They also demanded the suspension of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and the government's Red and White Village Cooperative initiative, an end to what they called the militarization of civilian affairs, and greater accountability from President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
“Stop militarism in civilian affairs, and President Prabowo must stop avoiding responsibility and acknowledge the government's mistakes,” Yatalathof said.
Ricky Juliansyah contributed to the writing of this article.
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