TNI joins Jakarta student protest blockade; civil coalition protests

TNI troops helped secure the student demonstration titled “Menuju Indonesia Bangkrut” in Jakarta on June 12, including building barricades with police to stop the crowd from moving toward Bundaran HI. The military involvement drew protests from the Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil untuk Reformasi Sektor Keamanan, which said handling demonstrations should remain the domain of civilian authorities and that deploying TNI should be a last resort. TNI information center chief Brig. Gen. Muhammad Nas said the involvement was assistance to Polri carried out at the request of the police and through coordination between agencies. Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said blocking the crowd in the Bundaran HI area was in line with Jakarta Governor Regulation No. 232 Tahun 2015 because the area is a business and traffic hub.