section_path: Protests/Java/Jakarta
section_name: Jakarta
paragraph_text: Jakarta
  
  In Jakarta, the protests started on 17 February at Horse Statue, Central Jakarta, but then spread into South Medan Merdeka and West Medan Merdeka Roads, causing traffic jams at Bundaran HI. Thousands of protesters shouted hidup mahasiswa ('long live students') and carried various banners and posters that represent their demands, such as #krisisiklimkrisisdemokrasi ('a climate crisis is a democratic crisis') and kenyang kagak, bego iya ('not yet full, stupid yes').
  
  Previously, student union of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) instructed its members to wear black clothing and yellow alma maters, which is characteristic of the university. A total of 1,623 joint personnels were deployed for security, and traffic at West Medan Merdeka Road towards Merdeka Palace was closed, except for the Transjakarta Bus.
  
  They later burned used tires and several posters, including a portrait of cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and several of them took down their almamaters under the instruction of an orator. At 6 p.m., the police appealed to the protesters to disperse, but they remained and threw objects such as water bottles, rubbish, and wooden slats on policemen. One policeman was injured during the event. Public relations coordinator for National Developmental University "Veteran" of Jakarta, Bagas Wisnu, read out 13 demands to the government, ranging from educational to political issues (see above). They finally dispersed on 8 p.m. and janitors began to clean rubbish at the site. Disabled influencer Badru also attended the protests and prayed for the protesters.
  
  The plans for a demonstration next day were cancelled by BEM SI, in preparation for peak demonstrations on 20 February at Istana Negara, will be hold simultaneously with the inauguration of 481 regional heads. A day later, BEM SI organised again a protest at Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue, and guarded by 775 joint personnels, although its coordinator Herianto said that they would organise a field technical this date in order to discuss its preparation. However, the head of public relations at Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police, Ade Ary Syam, has appealed to the public to maintain order during the inauguration of regional heads by not organising protests at Istana Negara this time. The students' union of Udayana University also decided not to participate in this protest. The protests would be held at the location at 2:00 p.m. (protesters would gather at 1:00 p.m.), and Herianto projected that it would be attended by 3,000 students.
  
  Half section of the West Medan Merdeka Road has been closed starting from 11:34 a.m., and the police used forklifts to install concrete blockades. The Central Jakarta police has deployed 588 joint personnels from Horse Statue towards front of Istana Negara, and barbed wires were installed at the location. This time, protesters from 4 students' unions arrived at 2:37 p.m. at Horse Statue, seen wearing their almamaters. They also carried various banners and pamphlets, with inscriptions such as Efisienshit and 1 Presiden Berbagai Insiden ('One President Full of Incidents'). They started with giving speeches front of the blockades. They were also seen raising up fists on their left arms. Nada, a 44-year-old woman, distributed free foods and drinks for protesters at the location.
  
  The protesters began to burn used tires near the concrete blockades at 2:45 p.m. Then, they tore down the blockades using ropes on the instruction by the orator, while the local police requested them to not do so. After their efforts were successful, they sang national anthem " Indonesia Raya " and " Indonesia Pusaka ". During the event, the protesters accused a man for pickpocketing, and later submitted him to nearby police post.
  
  Raden Roro Neno gave a speech to protesters, encouraging them not to be trampled by the oligarchy. She also gave support for them and prayed for their success and health. A female student read poem "Apa Guna" by Widji Thukul. One foreign national was arrested by plainclothes (suspected to be intelligence officers) while taking images during the protests. He later admitted that he was not part of any foreign media outlet.
  
  The protesters finally dispersed on 6:25 p.m. after Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi, together with his deputy Juri Ardiantoro met them and agreed to their demands. Prasetyo also requested the protesters to learn their demands within 48 hours before discussing it with student representatives. He was seen inviting the protesters to sing "Darah Juang" together, and hugged the protesters. Later, Prasetyo claimed that his struggles in the government, were in line with the students' demands.
  
  On 21 February, hundreds of civilian elements, including students without their almamaters, gathered at Ismail Marzuki Park before protesting at Horse Statue. They carried various banners and posters, one of them featured Prabowo's old post on Twitter from 2016. The protesters also played the song "Bayar Bayar Bayar" by Sukatani and " The Internationale " translated into Indonesian by Ki Hajar Dewantara. Then, they threw away water bottles and firecrackers to policemen, and damaged barbed wires. Badru returned to the protests and read out all five principles of Pancasila for the protesters. One protester was seen destroying a CCTV at 5:55 p.m. There were incidents of throwing Molotov cocktails, firecrackers, and fireworks, but also the burning of water barriers on the Transjakarta busway, followed by alerta ('alert') shouts. They also burned rubbish at the location, and rampaged an intruder, allegedly an intelligence officer, in the middle of the protests. The crowds finally dispersed at 8:30 p.m. and janitors began to clean rubbish and extinguish fires.
  
  Around 2,460 joint personnels from regional police, military, and the regional government, were deployed for security during the protests. Haus distributed 1,500 cups of free drinks for protesters through 15 stands. The fan club of South Korean boy band NCT, NCTzen, deployed an ambulance under the 'NCTzen Humanity x Bareng Warga' banner and distributed free foods for the protesters. It was projected that 2,500 people would attend the protests.
  
  On 15 March, the Civil Society Coalition led by Andrie Yunus stormed a representatives meeting held at the Fairmont Hotel in Senayan minutes before iftar. During the storming, representatives consist of the First Commission of the House of Representatives are discussing to pass the revision of the Armed Forces law behind closed door for 2 days. The protesters were later dispersed by the security guards.
  
  On 19 March, the student mass protest would resume in Jakarta as group of students from Trisakti University planned to hold a rally in front of the parliament building gate for 2 days. At the middle of the protest, law minister Supratman Andi Agtas along with 13th commission member Vita Ervina were blocked from entering the parliament building. Protesters initially tried to eject Agtas from the car despite being heavily guarded but after being pressured, Agtas voluntarily exited his car to meet the protesters. The protesters also began to set up tents front of the gate into DPR.
  
  On 20 March 2025, Indonesian Women's Alliance joined the protest demanding the DPR to withdraw the revision of Armed Forces Law. During the event, 5,021 joint personnels from police, military, and local government were deployed with reported minor clashes between law enforcers, camping protesters, and few journalists. Speaker of the DPR, Puan Maharani, answered to the protests and stated that the legislature is ready to give explanation regarding ambiguities on the law. Meanwhile, a black flag charged with the national emblem of Indonesia and text INDONESIA GELAP in the bottom, was flown half-mast at front of Gerbang Pancasila.
  
  During the protest, 4 students from University of Indonesia and one from Muhammadiyah Prof.Dr.Hamka University were reportedly injured during the protest and were rushed to hospital after the police opened fire against the protesters. One motorcycle taxi driver was beaten by police after being mistaken as protester. Some segments of the fences front of the DPR were also broken down, after the crowd attempted to enter the building. Due to the situation on the street, ambulances were unable to drive to the area due to the mentioned circumstances, as a result some injured protesters were transported to nearby Pelni hospital using motorcycle. One protester was reportedly missing after the protest and 5 people were arrested. At least 4 police officers suffered injuries after being hit by firecrackers thrown by protesters.
  
  On 27 March, 1,824 joint personnel from the police, military, and local government were deployed in preparation for the protests at DPR building. In order to avoid violent outbreak and future doxxing from happening, protesters begin to wear protective gears since 27 March inspired from Hong Kong Umbrella Movement and 2019 Hong Kong protest that happened prior and the move was later followed nationwide. They carried various banners and stickers, such as Negara ini asasnya Pancasila, bukan Sapta Marga ('The ideology of this country is Pancasila, not Sapta Marga').
  
  The protesters began to blockade the toll road located near the Parliamentary Complex, lit fireworks, and burned used tires front of the gate. Some of them attempted to climb its fences after being upset that no representative of the DPR could met the protesters. They also burned down a police motorcycle and overran its driver, who at the moment wore civilian clothing. As a response, the police attempted to forcefully disperse protesters using water cannon at 06:20 p.m., and some of the crowd were pushed out into Senayan. They finally dispersed at 06:31 p.m., and janitors began to clean rubbish throughout Gatot Subroto Road.
  
  On 28 March 2025, Indonesian Mothers' Voice held a protest at the pavement of Sarinah Building.
  
  A smaller protest resumed on 7 April 2025 after Lebaran. Numerous protesters set up camping tents in front of the parliament building. Themed Piknik Melawan ('Picnic to Resist'), they were forced to move into pavement next to Gelora Road on 8 April, and their tents were forcibly dismantled by 30 officers from Municipal Police next day. The protesters have requested for attention by governor Pramono Anung.
  
  Piknik Melawan was held again on 14 April. The tent was to be erected right in front of the Pancasila Gate of the House of Representatives, however, the participants were forced to move to the pavement opposite. On that night, six picnic participants, two women and four men, were put into a police car. The arrests were said to have been made without interrogation and without legal representation. Half an hour or so later, those arrested were released. They regrouped and set up their tents again.
  
  On 15 April, Bivitri Susanti, constitutional law expert, gave a public lecture at Piknik Melawan. The discussion between Bivitri and dozens of camp participants began at around 3:55 p.m.
  
  On 20 April, hundreds of people took part in a rally to defend Palestine in front of the US Embassy in Gambir, Central Jakarta. There is a police force that provided a special location for the masses within 50 metres of the US Embassy. The crowd carried various paraphernalia, such as flags, scarves and accessories with Palestinian flags. They also carried posters supporting Palestine and condemning genocide. They rallied until 10:45 p.m.
  
  On 21 April, Central Jakarta local police deployed 1,211 personnel in preparation for protests at separate locations, including US Embassy, MPR/DPR building, Polri headquarters, and Sarinah Road. It was reported that 10 protests would be held in Jakarta.