University of Indonesia Students Protest Police Brutality, Demand Reform

Jakarta, Indonesia – Approximately 500 students from the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) gathered at the Indonesian National Police (Polri) Headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, February 27, 2026, to demand immediate and comprehensive police reform. The protest stems from growing public concern over alleged police misconduct and a recent incident involving the death of a 14-year-old student.

Protest Details and Demands

Students began assembling at the FISIP Square on the University of Indonesia campus as early as 1:00 p.m. Local time, donning their university blazers and carrying banners with slogans such as “INDONESIA GELAP” (Dark Indonesia), “APARAT KEPARAT” (Despicable Apparatus), “POLISI PEMBULLY” (Police Officers Are Bullies) and “REFORMASI POLRI” (Police Reform). Ten buses and a pickup truck equipped with loudspeakers, displaying banners reading “Suara Rakyat” (Voice of the People), transported the protesters to Polri Headquarters. Tempo.co reports that additional students from other universities also coordinated to participate, though their identities were not immediately disclosed.

BEM UI Chair Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan, also known as Athof, stated the protest was a direct response to perceived failures in police improvement and a series of tragedies attributed to police actions. Tempo.co quoted Athof saying, “This is evident from the numerous tragedies caused by the police. Here we are, driven by the concerns of the public and students to demand police reform.”

Triggering Incident: Death of Arianto Tawakal

The demonstration was specifically triggered by the death of Arianto Tawakal, a 14-year-old student, following an assault by Second Pol. Brig. Mesias Siahaya, a member of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob Polri). The incident occurred on February 19, 2026, in Tual City, Maluku, when Arianto was struck in the head with a police baton, causing him to lose control of his motorcycle, and fall. Kabar24.bisnis.com reports that Mesias Siahaya has since been dismissed from the National Police.

Specific Demands to Polri

BEM UI has outlined five key demands to be presented at Polri Headquarters:

• The imposition of the maximum criminal penalty for the police officer responsible for Arianto Tawakal’s death and all other officers involved in repressive acts.
• The removal of General Listyo Sigit Prabowo from his position as Kapolri (National Police Chief) and Dadang Hartanto from his position as Kapolda Maluku (Maluku Police Chief).
• The release of all political prisoners who have been unjustly criminalized.
• The establishment of clear limitations on police authority and the removal of Polri from civilian positions.
• Concrete results in structural, cultural, and instrumental police reform through the acceleration commission for Police Reform.

Kabar24.bisnis.com details these demands as central to the protest’s agenda.

Security Measures and Potential Disruptions

Authorities have deployed approximately 3,093 police personnel from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) to secure the demonstration area. DataSurfr.ai reports that enhanced security measures are in place, including crowd management and protective arrangements around Polri Headquarters and surrounding areas. Traffic congestion is expected on Trunojoyo Street and surrounding South Jakarta corridors. Businesses in the vicinity are advised to adjust employee perform hours and reroute logistics and deliveries.