Education Day: Police Block Student March Toward State Palace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police blocked a march by the Alliance of the All-Indonesia Student Executive Boards (BEM SI) toward the State Palace. BEM SI protesters and Central Jakarta Metro Police clashed as students attempted to break through a barricade during a rally to commemorate National Education Day (Hardiknas).

The demonstration near the Horse Statue in Central Jakarta was attended by at least three student alliances. In addition to BEM SI, the Alliance of the Senate of State Islamic Religious Higher Education Institutions (Sema PTKIN) and the Student Executive Boards of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMAI) participated.

According to Tempo’s observations, a police barricade, reinforced with iron fences, was installed on Jalan Merdeka Selatan in front of the BSI Tower.

Students attempted to push through the police line to reach the Presidential Palace, demanding that government representatives meet them directly. "Open, open, open the door. Open the door right now," a participant sang on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

As some participants attempted to breach the barricade, others set fire to tires. Police responded by deploying lightweight fire extinguishers.

Students on the front line scattered briefly before advancing again and engaging in direct clashes with officers. The two sides were seen pushing and physically confronting one another.

Protesters marking National Education Day, observed every May 2, carried yellow flags. These flags, traditionally symbolizing death, bore the words "R.I.P Education" and "Free Poisonous Food."

In addition to the yellow flags, participants carried BEM banners and various posters. Some posters read "Darkness of Education" and "Education is only considered as livestock."

"We have changed presidents eight times, but we have also been unable to solve education problems eight times," an orator shouted from a command vehicle.

BEM SI raised 10 demands during the Hardiknas demonstration. These include the reform of education budget governance, the separation of public education budgets from civil service funds, and an end to the excessive commercialization of education.

Read: BEM SI Marks National Education Day with Nine Demands

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

BEM SI Marks National Education Day with Nine Demands

3 jam lalu

Education Day: BEM SI Stages 'Darkness of Education' Rally

4 jam lalu