Protests demanding an end to corruption in Indonesia have resumed amid a heavy security presence, and the US embassy has issued a warning to its citizens to avoid areas of tension.
The Indonesian capital, Jakarta, witnessed a new wave of protests, as thousands of students and representatives of civil organizations took to the streets to demand the fight against corruption, higher wages, and a review of government policies.
The protesters demanded limiting the expansion of the army's role, halting free school meal programs and rural cooperatives, and intensifying the confiscation of corrupt officials' funds.
Groups from Central Java also organized protests demanding strict laws to confiscate corruption funds and toughen penalties for those accused.
In preparation for any developments, authorities deployed more than 18,500 security personnel to secure six districts in Jakarta, where roads were closed and traffic was rerouted near the parliament building, and 65 people were arrested as a precautionary measure.
These demonstrations come amid continued public discontent, although they have not yet reached the scale of the mass protests that the country witnessed in August and September of last year, 2025, which erupted then due to housing privileges for members of parliament and escalated after the death of a motorcyclist under the wheels of a police car.
In this context, the US Embassy in Indonesia issued a security alert to American citizens in the country, warning of an increased risk of peaceful demonstrations turning violent. The embassy reported that police had observed active gatherings and protests in several locations in central and western Jakarta, including the Kemengisanan bus terminal, the BNI Tower in Pecombongan, the Pemboran bus terminal, and the parliament complex.
These gatherings resulted in a heavy security presence, road closures, and traffic disruptions. Accordingly, the embassy warned its citizens and urged them to avoid the areas surrounding the parliament building and other flashpoints, stay away from gatherings and marches, allow extra time for travel due to road closures, and follow local media and instructions issued by local authorities.
