August 28, 2026 | 08:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police are accused of violating the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) by arresting 65 people ahead of the protest in Central Jakarta on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The Advocacy Team for Democracy believes the police's actions were procedurally unlawful.
Gema Gita Persada, Head of the Advocacy Division of the Press Legal Aid Institute and a member of TAUD, said the police used arbitrary coercion under the pretext of "security measures." "This is evident through the baseless arrests, confiscations, and searches conducted by the police leading up to and on August 27, 2026," she said in a statement on Friday, August 28, 2026.
TAUD believed the police arrested dozens of people without clear charges, ranging from allegations of coordinating rallies that could trigger unrest to social media activity, including posting posters critical of the chaotic state administration.
According to Gema, TAUD identified arbitrary police action against those arrested, as they were "apprehended as witnesses and were not summoned properly."
Those arrested were also not treated based on "presumption of innocence," said Gema.
Although most of the people arrested were probed as witnesses, according to TAUD, the police must still follow legal procedures. The lawyers' group believes arbitrary arrests without clear legal status and valid summonses still constitute a form of deprivation of liberty.
Previously, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) arrested 65 people ahead of a demonstration at the Parliament Complex in Central Jakarta on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Police said they intended to "piggyback" the scheduled protest.
The Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Grand Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the arrest of the 65 individuals was part of a preventive measure. “From this series, 65 people have been secured by the General Crime Investigation Directorate and the Cyber Crime Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police,” said Budi during a press conference at the Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters on Thursday.
The 65 individuals are divided into two clusters. The first cluster consists of individuals allegedly affiliated with the Anarchist group and were consolidating at a music event in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, to “ride on” the protest. Meanwhile, the other two individuals are suspected of manipulating cyber data to appear authentic.
“Further investigation is still being conducted to determine whether the 65 apprehended individuals are part of our fellow citizens expressing their aspirations,” Budi said.
Out of the 63 individuals arrested, the police seized several pieces of evidence, including alcohol, sharp weapons, drugs, air rifles, pellets, megaphones, jerry cans filled with gasoline, backpacks, and spray paint.
The police also confiscated four banners containing information about a charity music event for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Two of the banners were inscribed with “Charity for NTT” and “Charity gigs for NTT.”
According to the information on the banners, the event was held in Kalimalang, East Jakarta on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Budi explained that the confiscated items were not permitted under Law Number 9 of 1998 when expressing opinions.
The Director of the General Crime Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, explained that the police had conducted mapping and monitoring before the arrest of these individuals.
“The community groups and students suspected of being affiliated with the Anarchist group have been identified as consolidating,” he said.
He further explained that the consolidation aimed to “ride on” the Pati community protest in front of the DPR building today. “The consolidation has been gradually taking place, showing the strengthening of the narrative, donation collection, mobilization, and the preparation of facilities that are suspected to be used in supporting the action,” said Imam.
According to the police's findings during the consolidation, there are efforts to “build a consensus on the issue” to be voiced during the protest. One of the main issues currently emerging, according to Imam, is the ratification of the Asset Forfeiture Bill.
Read: Facts on the August 27 DPR Protest in Jakarta
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Police Name 45 Suspects in Jakarta Unrest
2 jam lalu
The Jakarta Metro Police have named 45 people as suspects following a riot after the protest in front of DPR.
Today's Top 3 News: What to Know About Aug. 27 Jakarta Protest
6 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Facts on the August 27 DPR Protest in Jakarta
7 jam lalu
A breakdown of key events surrounding the demonstration outside the DPR building in Jakarta on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Fact Check: Did Masses Gather at Jakarta's Monas for the August 27 Protest?
10 jam lalu
The video shows the situation at the People's Party for Indonesia's 81st Independence Day on August 17, 2026, at Monas, Jakarta.
How Slipi Looks After the Aug 27 DPR Demonstration
11 jam lalu
Military personnel secure the Slipi flyover on August 28, as Central Jakarta officials mediate with remaining protesters following the DPR rally.
Jakarta Police: Protesters Other Than Pati Group Intended Only to Cause Damage
16 jam lalu
Police said that the protesters who remained at the DPR until evening were accused of wanting to cause only damage.
Police Fire Water Cannons, Tear Gas to Disperse Jakarta Protesters
1 hari lalu
Police fired water cannons and tear gas to push back protesters in front of the parliament complex late Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Why Protesters Stay at DPR Despite Pati Crowd Dispersing
1 hari lalu
Thousands of protesters remained in front of the parliament complex in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, August 27, 2026.
Why Did Police Arrest 63 Students Ahead of Jakarta Protest?
1 hari lalu
The police suspect the students intended to exploit the protest organized by Pati residents in front of the DPR building.
Today's Top 3 News: Dedi Mulyadi's Presidential Electability, Jakarta Protests
1 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
