August 18, 2026 | 09:05 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) is scheduled to hold a protest at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (HI Roundabout) in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to raise concerns over social, economic, and government policies as well as national sovereignty.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), following the group's departure from the University of Indonesia (UI) campus in Depok at around 11 a.m. The demonstration is expected to affect traffic flow around the HI Roundabout, prompting authorities to advise road users to plan alternative routes.
The protest comes one day after Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. BEM UI said the demonstration is not intended to celebrate independence, but to question what independence means for Indonesians today.
The students plan to raise a range of issues concerning the country's social and economic conditions and the government's policies.
BEM UI President Yatalathof Imawan said the protesters would depart from the UI campus at 11 a.m. and arrive at the HI Roundabout at 1 p.m.
"We depart from UI (Depok) at 11:00. We arrive at HI at 13:00," Yatalathof said on Monday, August 17.
He said the protest would provide students with a platform to question the state of independence experienced by Indonesians 81 years after the country declared independence.
BEM UI is putting forward eight demands during the protest. They are:
1. End state oppression of its own people.
2. End corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN).
3. Realize genuine agrarian reform.
4. Lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel.
5. Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of National Strategic Projects (PSN) and halt the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) and Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) programs.
6. End the centralization of power and the reduction of regional allowances (TKD), and restore regional autonomy.
7. Declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate recovery in disaster-affected areas.
8. End repressive actions and TNI-Polri (military and police) intervention in the civic sphere, and disband YON TP.
BEM UI Protest Schedule
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- 11:00 WIB: Demonstrators depart from UI, Depok
- 13:00 WIB: Protest action at Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, Central Jakarta
Recommended Alternative Routes
Police have advised the public to avoid the area around the protest site while the demonstration is underway. Road users planning to pass through the HI Roundabout are encouraged to use alternative routes to anticipate congestion.
First Inspector (Iptu) Erlyn said residents could seek alternative routes while the protest was taking place.
"Residents can look for alternative routes while the protest is taking place," Erlyn said.
- From the South heading to Central Jakarta/East Jakarta
Avoid the MH Thamrin, Medan Merdeka Barat, and Kebon Sirih road sections. Motorists can use the Tomang–Suryopranoto–Harmoni route or pass through Jalan KH Mas Mansyur toward the Karet area.
- From the West heading to Central Jakarta/West Jakarta
Use the route via Jalan S. Parman–Tomang–Jalan Kyai Caringin–KH Hasyim Ashari–Harmoni to avoid congestion around Gambir and Kebon Sirih.
- Heading to the Sudirman or Menteng areas
Motorists are advised to pass through Jalan HR Rasuna Said–Kuningan or Jalan Imam Bonjol–Diponegoro to avoid getting stuck in city center congestion.
Alternative Routes Around the Protest Site
1. From the South (Blok M/Sudirman/Thamrin) heading North (Harmoni/Kota)
Jalan Sudirman–Galunggung–KH Mas Mansyur–Tomang–Harmoni, or via Jalan Diponegoro–Proklamasi–Salemba–Gunung Sahari.
2. From the North (Kota/Gajah Mada) heading South (Thamrin/Sudirman)
Harmoni–Juanda–Pos–Gunung Sahari–Senen–Kramat Raya, or via Cikini toward Menteng and Sudirman.
3. From the East (Senen/Pulogadung) heading West (Tanah Abang/Tomang)
Gunung Sahari–Dr. Sutomo–Juanda–Suryopranoto–Tomang to avoid congestion in the Gambir and Kebon Sirih areas.
Read: BEM UI to Stage Protest at HI Roundabout Today
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