Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General Karyoto explained that the police's decision to detain several students who were about to join the protest on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan on Friday was a preventive measure to avoid provocation.

"At the beginning, there was information that it was feared that among the students there were people who intended to wreak havoc," said Karyoto on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta, Friday (20/10).

He said that protesters whose intention was only to protest would only carry banners of demands or similar objects and obey the command of their field coordinator.

Meanwhile, if protesters are caught carrying toothpaste, which is usually used to protect the eyes from irritation when exposed to tear gas, it shows that there are bad intentions.

"If so, it means there are bad intentions, so we detained them for further questioning," said Karyoto.

He also said that some of the students who were detained were underage and not yet in a position to participate in such protests.

However, Karyoto emphasized that all students who were detained had been released after questioning by the police.

Previously, police detained 12 students who arrived at Gondangdia Station, Central Jakarta, before they could join the group of protesters who gathered on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat on Friday afternoon.

The 12 students were released and returned to their colleagues at the location of the action at 19.00 WIB after a dialogue between the protesters and the main expert of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Joanes Joko. Police said they were taken to the police station.

Previously, students who were arrested by the police only wore black T-shirts without wearing university alma maters as identity. "Once again, if you don't wear the alma mater uniform, please step back. Enough is enough," said one of the police officers on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Friday (20/10/2023). The arrested student was suspected of trying to break through.

"Those who enter to incite us, please step back, please step back, there will be time for negotiations. Please step back," continued the police through a loudspeaker. Not long after that, representatives of the students for the audience were asked to enter the safe area.

Chaos occurred when the released students were escorted back to their colleagues by Joanes and the police.

One of the released students was then given the opportunity to speak. In his oration, he admitted that he was apprehended with his colleagues after arriving at the station.

Protesters from the Student Executive Boards of various universities began to gather and express their opinions in front of the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue at around 15.30 WIB. After exceeding the time limit for the protest at 18.00 WIB, they dispersed from the location of the protest at around 19.45 WIB.