Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP) applied a gradual, humanistic approach to secure public demonstrations outside the MPR/DPR RI Building in Jakarta on Thursday (17/8/2026)..

Tensions escalated late Thursday afternoon as demonstrator groups attempted to breach the parliament’s main gate and set fires at the entrance, ignoring police warnings.

"The INP gave warnings to maintain order and refrain from destruction," said Senior Superintendent Budi Hermanto, the Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metro Jaya REgional Police. "To ensure public activity was not disrupted, the INP took gradual approach measures."

Around 7 pm, officers deployed water cannons as a soft-approach measure to disperse crowds damaging public facilities. 

Chief Budi said that public expressions of opinion are respected under Law No. 9/1998, but acts damaging public property cannot be tolerated. He urged remaining crowds to return home and asked parents to ensure minors avoid high-risk protest locations.

(mg/ta/pr/rs)