September 2, 2026 | 08:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jogja Police Watch (JPW) criticized the Yogyakarta Regional Police's handling of a demonstration held by the Civil Society Alliance at the Gramedia Intersection on Jalan Sudirman, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday night, September 1, 2026. At least six students reportedly suffered violence at the hands of certain groups during the incident and received medical treatment at a hospital.
"We deeply regret the physical clashes that broke out among the crowds despite tight security by authorities at the scene," Baharuddin Kamba, Head of the Public Relations Division of Jogja Police Watch, Baharuddin Kamba, said on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The independent police watchdog noted that the police's protection and law enforcement functions remain far below public expectations. As a result, students were left directly confronted by certain interest groups within the community.
Kamba criticized the alleged mobilization of mass organizations alongside a repressive approach, which he argued continues to preserve a militaristic mindset when handling demonstrations. He emphasized that the constitution mandates the police as a state instrument to maintain public order and security under their motto to protect, serve, and enforce the law for the community.
"However, the reality remains far from ideal, as cases of violence, intimidation, and repression by certain personnel against civilians continue to persist," Kamba stated.
Furthermore, Kamba urged a complete evaluation of crowd control protocols that permit third-party groups to act as field enforcers. He pointed to similar security arrangements during protests in Jakarta in late August, where unaffiliated mass groups were likewise involved.
"The involvement of mass organizations in managing demonstrations, as seen in Jakarta, must be thoroughly evaluated and halted. Because it is not the task and authority of mass organizations to secure demonstrations, particularly when acts of violence occur," he added.
Meanwhile, the Yogyakarta Regional Police provided an account regarding the timeline of the disturbance at the major intersection. Yogyakarta Regional Police Public Relations Head Sr. Comr. Ihsan stated that the commotion stemmed from road closures and the length of the protest, which ran from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. WIB.
"A misunderstanding arose between protesters and local residents over the road closure, leading to a minor clash, but the situation was quickly brought under control," Ihsan said on Tuesday night.
Ihsan noted that pushing and shoving broke out, causing several participants to fall and sustain injuries as they were pushed back toward the UGM roundabout. Additionally, several police officers at the scene suffered exposure to chemical substances.
"The injured received immediate medical attention and self-evacuated in a Gadjah Mada University (UGM) ambulance to Panti Rapih Hospital, with all victims discharged later that night," he said.
He added that officers securing the location also fell victim to pepper spray exposure and received immediate treatment inside a police ambulance. Ihsan emphasized that security operations prioritized a humanistic approach to safeguard freedom of public expression.
Read: Clashes Break Out at UGM Student Protest, Several Students Injured
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