A remarkable scene unfolded during a student protest by the University of Indonesia (UI) in front of the National Police Headquarters. The demonstration addressed the tragic death of a student in Tual, North Maluku, drawing significant attention not just for its cause, but also for the unusual appearance of the police guarding the event.
On Friday (27/2), UI students were met by police officers wearing white peci (Islamic skullcaps) and turbans, a distinctive sight at the National Police Headquarters. Kombes Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations for Polda Metro Jaya, clarified the reason behind this unique attire. “Polda Metro Jaya has a shalawat team. So there’s a hadroh team, a shalawat team. We are honoring the holy month of Ramadan by wearing peci, scarves, and for female police officers, white hijabs. This is how we show respect for the holy month of Ramadan,” he explained, providing cultural context for the unexpected uniform.
Budi further elaborated that the police presence during the UI student protest was managed with a focus on respecting the demonstrators and maintaining patience. He highlighted that despite potential provocations, such as insults or defacement of property, the officers remained unprovoked and calm. “Ultimately, with police who were not provoked, not triggered, even when cursed at, defaced, and so on, it actually brought tranquility to the process of providing security services,” he detailed, underscoring the effectiveness of their composed approach in maintaining order.
Among the students’ key demands were calls for severe punishment for the police officers responsible for the student’s death in Tual, as well as the immediate resignation of the North Maluku Police Chief. These serious allegations underscore the gravity of the incident that spurred the protest and the students’ push for police accountability.
Addressing these significant concerns, Kombes Budi Hermanto stated that the students’ demands would be taken as a crucial subject for internal evaluation. “Yes, this will be an evaluation for us. Whatever points are conveyed will become an evaluation and a learning experience for us internally within the police force,” he affirmed. He also stressed that regarding the murder case in Tual, “if you look at how the murder process unfolded, there are already clear legal sanctions, it has been processed, and the officers involved have been dismissed,” providing an update on the actions already taken by the authorities.
Despite some minor incidents, the protest largely proceeded in a conducive and orderly manner, demonstrating a peaceful resolution. The demonstration concluded as students dispersed after breaking their fast, bringing the day’s event to a quiet close.
Summary
Students from the University of Indonesia (UI) held a