Thousands of students and civil society groups occupied Jakarta’s Bundaran HI roundabout on Oct 28, demanding that the Indonesian government declare ongoing forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan a national disaster. The protests, coordinated under the hashtag #IndonesiaSadar, disrupted city transit and signaled growing public anger over haze, rising living costs, and alleged corruption under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. Protesters at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle voiced frustration that government policies served political elites rather than public needs.
Protesters demand national disaster status for wildfires
The rally, held on Youth Pledge Day, was led by a coalition including the University of Indonesia student association. Protesters demanded government accountability for forest and peatland fires that have ravaged Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua for months.
Yuyun Santoso, a 23-year-old student from the Islamic State University Palangkaraya, told reporters that the air in Kalimantan now appears red. He argued the severity of the situation warrants a national disaster declaration to secure additional resources for extinguishing the blazes.
Did You Know? The Oct 28 protests coincided with Youth Pledge Day, which commemorates a 1928 pledge made by Indonesian youths regarding the nation’s identity.
Government cites 70,000 personnel in firefighting efforts
Government spokesperson Syahganda Nainggolan stated on Oct 28 that the administration respects the demonstrations as a part of democracy. He noted that the government has deployed over 70,000 firefighting personnel to combat the fires.
Nainggolan added that authorities are conducting investigations into individuals and corporations suspected of starting the fires. While the administration has shrugged off calls for a national disaster declaration, the government claims the blazes are under control.
Police blockades and transit disruptions in Jakarta
Protesters reached the Bundaran HI roundabout by splitting their forces to bypass police blockades. While the rally was largely peaceful, some clashes occurred between police and protesters attempting to enter the roundabout.
We want this nation to rise again, so we had to be brave and fight to make it here,
Vito, a University of Indonesia student, told The Straits Times.
The unrest forced Transjakarta to suspend four service routes: 6B, 6A, 1P, and 1B. According to Ayu Wardhani, head of Transjakarta’s Public Relations and CSR Department, these adjustments were made for the safety and comfort of travelers.
Route 9D will not serve the Bendungan Hilir bus stop until the Jatibunder Police Post, while the Pasar Minggu route will skip the Jembatan Serong bus stop until Bendungan Hilir. Route 1 will divert from police station areas to the National Monument.
Polri Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto stated that police measures remained preventive and preemptive, prioritizing a humane approach to crowd control. Inspector General Eddizon Isir, Polri Public Relations Division Head, said Polri respects every citizen’s right to express their opinions in public.
However, nighttime protests in Yogyakarta led to clashes near Malioboro involving firecrackers and stone-throwing.
Broad coalition joins #IndonesiaSadar movement
The movement extended beyond students to include volunteer groups of women who provided medical assistance and food. Vitri Sekarsari, a 43-year-old volunteer, told ST that she and others usually hear about the rallies on social media and want to show support since everyone is striving for change.
Participants used the three-fingered salute from the movie The Hunger Games, a symbol of resistance also seen in Thailand and Myanmar. The gesture has been used by pro-democracy movements internationally. Protesters in other cities, including Bandung, Malang, and Padang, held smaller rallies echoing the demands in Jakarta.
Potential for expanded civic unrest
Disruptions to Jakarta’s transport operations occurred as protesters targeted areas in Central Jakarta.
Which cities saw protests and what are the demands?
Which cities besides Jakarta saw protests on Oct 28?
Smaller protests were reported in Yogyakarta, Bandung in West Java, Malang in East Java, and Padang in West Sumatra.
What specific transit changes occurred in Jakarta?
Transjakarta suspended routes 6B, 6A, 1P, and 1B, while other routes like 6D, 4C, 9D, and 1 were diverted or adjusted to shorter paths.
What are the primary demands of the student coalition?
The University of Indonesia student association spearheaded five demands, the primary one being for the government to declare the forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan a national disaster.
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