Head of Public Relations for the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Bhudi Hermanto.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Polda Metro Jaya detained and questioned 21 individuals suspected of intending to incite unrest during a protest in Jakarta today. It was revealed that those detained were not students intending to participate in the demonstration.

Polda Metro Jaya Head of Public Relations, Kombes Pol Bhudi Hermanto stated, that authorities had seized 12 firecrackers, six glass bottles suspected to be intended for use as molotov cocktails, and flares. Police are currently investigating the reasons behind the individuals carrying these items.

“The items found—flares, firecrackers, and bottles prepared for molotov cocktails—had been readied beforehand. We are still investigating whether the intended targets were security personnel, protest participants, or the surrounding public,” Kombes Pol Bhudi told the media on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

He also expressed regret over the actions of those suspected of wanting to incite unrest. The Polda Metro Jaya have emphasized their readiness to oversee protests to ensure they proceed in an orderly and smooth manner.

“If this occurs—actions or infiltration by individuals carrying such items—it could undermine the expression of opinion, which is protected by law. Whether the impact falls on security personnel, the surrounding community, or fellow students voicing their aspirations, it severely damages the process of public expression,” said Kombes Pol Bhudi.

It was also reported that a total of 9.242 joint personnel were deployed to secure the protests. These personnel were assigned to safeguard 31 demonstrations and 16 community activities within the Polda Metro Jaya’s jurisdiction.

For context, the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) also held a protest in the Bundaran HI area of ​​Central Jakarta today.

BEM UI President Yatalatof Imawan had previously stated that today’s protest was themed #MerebutKemerdekaan (#SeizingIndependence).  The UI Student Executive Board (BEM UI) has apologized in advance for any traffic congestion caused by the protest.

“To the residents of Jakarta, we apologize for today’s traffic congestion. However, please remember that this traffic jam will last only a few hours, whereas the structural stagnation—the gridlock in job creation and the forced obstruction of justice—has persisted for eighty-one years and continues to worsen,” stated Yatalatof Imawan, President of BEM UI, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

The following are the eight demands put forward by BEM UI for today’s protest:

1. End the state’s subjugation of its own people.

2. Put an end to 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 Food Estate (KDMP) programs.

6. Stop the centralization of power and the reduction of Regional Transfers (TKD), and restore regional autonomy.

7. Declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate the recovery of disaster-affected areas.

8. Cease repressive actions and TNI-Polri (military and police) intervention in the civic sphere, and disband the YON TP. Bembo unit.

(Bembo)