August 18, 2026 | 06:23 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) has announced plans to stage a protest today, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (HI Roundabout) in Central Jakarta has been selected as the rally point, mirroring the location of a previous protest held on June 12.
During the earlier protest, BEM UI demonstrators were intercepted by security forces as they attempted to reach the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. The call for this "Reclaim Independence" (Merebut Kemerdekaan) protest was issued via the @bemui_official Instagram account.
The student group also invited concerned members of civil society to take to the streets and demonstrate in support of the people's rights. In a joint statement, BEM UI noted that the "Reclaim Independence" protest was organized following careful study and consolidation efforts.
"During that consolidation, we concluded that the people of Indonesia are not yet truly free," stated the UI Student Executive Board (BEM UI) on Monday, August 17, 2026.
BEM UI holds the view that the state is, in fact, oppressing its own people. Across both economic and political spheres, the public is seen as continuing to fall victim to the concentration of power by the Prabowo Subianto regime.
During a demonstration held in this month of independence, the UI Student Executive Board (BEM UI) demanded that the government put an end to the oppression of the people. BEM UI also called on the government to halt practices of corruption, collusion, and nepotism. Furthermore, they urged for a reduction in the prices of basic necessities and fuel.
Other demands included a comprehensive evaluation of national strategic projects, the cancellation of the free nutritious meal program and the "Merah Putih" village cooperative initiative, and an end to security force intervention in the civic sphere; they also urged the disbandment of territorial military battalions focused on development. Additionally, BEM UI pressed the central government to stop cutting transfer funds to the regions and demanded the restoration of regional autonomy.
During this "Reclaim Independence" protest, BEM UI also addressed the earthquakes that struck East Nusa Tenggara and parts of Sumatra. "Declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate recovery efforts in the affected areas," stated BEM UI.
Read: BEM UI Plans 'Reclaim Independence' Protest in Jakarta: What Is It About?
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