TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The security measures for the student protest titled ‘Towards Bankrupt Indonesia’ on June 12, 2026, were not only conducted by the police but also involved the Indonesian National Armed Forces or the Indonesian Military (TNI).
In Jakarta, hundreds of TNI personnel joined the police in blocking the movement of the student alliance towards Bundaran HI (HI Roundabout). Together with the police, the soldiers set up barricades to close off access to the planned protest area.
Head of the TNI Information Center, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, stated that the military’s involvement in securing the demonstration was carried out in accordance with applicable mechanisms. According to him, the military’s involvement was based on a request from the police. “It is a support to the National Police,” he said on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
The involvement of the TNI in securing the student demonstration has garnered responses from various parties. Here are some of them.
The Indonesian Government
Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai stated that the security measures involving the TNI were in accordance with applicable regulations. This includes, according to him, the action of blocking the demonstration participants carried out by the security forces together with the national defense forces.
He explained that the blockade was conducted to prevent the students from staging a demonstration at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia area, in line with Jakarta Governor Regulation Number 232 of 2015 concerning Control of Public Expression in Public Spaces.
“Regarding demonstrations in business areas and traffic, there are regulations. No violations were committed by the security forces in relation to the blockade,” said Pigai when contacted on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
He expressed support for the students’ right to express their opinions in public. However, it is important to note in such activities, the permissibility of the authorities to impose restrictions.
According to Pigai, in the context of human rights, there is the Siracusa Principles that empower authorities to impose restrictions with certain considerations, such as at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia which is a business and traffic epicenter.
“According to the Siracusa human rights principles, demonstrations cannot be conducted at this point, only at other points with considerations such as traffic congestion or other strategic reasons. But, I appreciate the students for continuously voicing the rights of the people,” said the former Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission.
The House of Representatives
Vice Chair of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Dave Laksono, stated that in principle, the security of demonstrations is the responsibility of the police as law enforcement officials. However, he said, the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces cannot be ruled out.
“To ensure public order is maintained,” he said when contacted on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Moreover, Dave continued, the TNI has the main mandate of upholding the sovereignty and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. In carrying out this task, according to him, defense institutions have a role alongside the police, especially in conditions that require the maintenance of national stability.
“We believe that the synergy between defense and law enforcement is the key to maintaining national stability,” said Dave.
Nevertheless, he reminded that coordination between the two institutions in securing demonstrations must be carried out properly. “The most important thing is that every step is in accordance with the law, respects civil rights, and maintains the public’s trust in state institutions,” said the politician from the Golkar Party.
Civil Society Coalition
The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform criticized the deployment of the TNI in escorting student demonstrations at several points in Jakarta on Friday, June 12, 2026. They considered this move to be erroneous, not in line with democratic principles, and potentially causing legal problems.
This coalition consists of several organizations, including Imparsial, Amnesty International Indonesia, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, KontraS, Dejure, the Indonesia Risk Center, and various other community organizations.
The coalition stated that the handling of demonstrations is within the jurisdiction of civil security forces, especially the Indonesian National Police. “Military mobilization should only be a last resort when all civilian apparatuses are unable to control the situation,” read the joint statement.
Andi Adam contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Students Tell Military to ‘Return to the Barracks’ at Jakarta Protest
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