Jakarta. Indonesia is bracing for a major demonstration in Jakarta on Thursday, with police deploying thousands of personnel amid concerns that the rally could trigger a repeat of the unrest that swept the capital and other cities a year ago.

The Aug. 27 rally is expected to bring protesters from Jakarta and other parts of the country to the parliament complex. Organizers include the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB), which is demanding the passage of an asset-forfeiture bill and tougher penalties for corruption, including the death penalty.

Here is what to know about Thursday’s rally and the security preparations.

Why is the rally raising concerns?
The demonstration comes almost exactly a year after a wave of protests in August and September 2025 escalated into riots in Jakarta and several other cities.

The protests were driven by public anger over lawmakers’ allowances, economic pressures, and the death of ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan, who was struck by a police armored vehicle during a demonstration in Jakarta last August.

The unrest resulted in clashes between protesters and security forces, damage to public facilities, and mass arrests. The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) recorded 11 deaths, while police reported more than 3,000 arrests. The homes of several lawmakers, including Ahmad Sahroni and Surya Utama, as well as former Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, were also looted.

The timing of this year’s rally has heightened public anxiety, particularly as authorities have warned about provocative content circulating online.

What is driving this year’s protests?
One of the main demands is for parliament to pass the long-delayed asset-forfeiture bill, which would give authorities greater powers to seize assets linked to criminal activity.

AMPB supporters also want tougher punishment for corruption, including the death penalty.

The movement has attracted participants from outside Jakarta. About 250 AMPB supporters traveled from Pati, Central Java, to Jakarta on Wednesday in five buses. Around 25 fishermen from neighboring Jepara also said they were heading to the capital to join the demonstration.

Other groups are also expected to participate, although police said they had received formal notifications for only two demonstrations as of Wednesday.

Is Jakarta Safe Tomorrow?
The rally’s organizers have sought to reassure the public, saying they have no intention of causing unrest.

Supriyono, also known as Botok, the AMPB coordinator, said the group would come to Jakarta peacefully for Thursday’s demonstration outside parliament.

“We have no intention of causing unrest in Jakarta,” Supriyono said.

He also rejected claims that AMPB would call for the removal of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming during the rally.

Supriyono said the group would focus on two demands: passage of the asset-forfeiture bill and the imposition of the death penalty on corrupt officials.

However, authorities remain on heightened alert given last year’s violence and the circulation of provocative material on social media.

How is social media fueling anxiety?
Beyond the demands of Thursday’s protesters, the rally is being closely watched because of the political and social tensions that accompanied last year’s demonstrations.

Social media has played a significant role in amplifying fears of unrest. Earlier this month, a post showing a tall security fence outside Kota Kasablanka mall in South Jakarta sparked speculation that businesses were preparing for possible violence. The fence was later dismantled.

Other social media accounts have circulated videos purportedly showing violent demonstrations in Jakarta last year, further raising concerns ahead of Thursday’s rally.

Police have warned against provocative content and urged the public not to be drawn into calls for violence.

For authorities, the challenge will be to secure the demonstration while allowing protesters to exercise their right to peaceful assembly.

How is the police preparing?
Jakarta Metro Police said several thousand officers would be deployed on Thursday.

Police said their role would not be limited to controlling protesters. Officers will also manage traffic and seek to keep daily activities running normally.

The parliament area is served by several major public transportation networks, including the MRT, LRT, and TransJakarta, while many residents rely on ride-hailing services. Police said traffic diversions could be implemented if necessary.

Police spokesman Budi Hermanto urged groups planning demonstrations to formally notify authorities so security and traffic arrangements could be made.

Which roads should motorists avoid?

The demonstration is expected to disrupt traffic around the parliament complex, and motorists are being advised to avoid several major roads on Thursday.

Drivers traveling from the east are advised to avoid the Gatot Subroto and Rasuna Said corridors. Alternative routes include MT Haryono, Saharjo, Pancoran and Ampera Raya toward Blok M or Pondok Indah.

Motorists traveling from Semanggi toward Slipi can use Gerbang Pemuda, Asia Afrika, Patal Senayan, Patal Senayan I and Patal Senayan Simprug before taking the Simprug flyover.

For travelers approaching from the west, including Tangerang, Kebun Jeruk and Palmerah, authorities advise avoiding Gatot Subroto and Jenderal Sudirman. Alternative routes include the Pondok Indah arterial road and Metro Pondok Indah toward southern Jakarta, Senayan, the Gelora Bung Karno area or Semanggi.

Motorists traveling from southern Jakarta, including Hang Tuah and Blok M, are also advised to avoid routes leading toward Gatot Subroto, where traffic restrictions may be imposed as the demonstration develops.

Will protesters from outside Jakarta be stopped?
Authorities are tightening checks on routes into Jakarta.

Tangerang police, which oversee areas west of the capital, said they would conduct checks along the Merak-Tangerang toll road and the Serang arterial road to monitor groups traveling from Sumatra, particularly Lampung.

Officers will pay particular attention to buses and open-bed trucks, which police said have previously been used to transport protesters, including students.

The measures have already generated tensions in Pati, where police reportedly attempted to stop buses from entering parts of the city to pick up AMPB supporters before their journey to Jakarta.

Police in Bekasi, east of Jakarta, have placed the area on the highest alert level because of concerns that unrest could spread from the capital.

Bekasi police chief Ikhlas Putro Wasono said authorities had detected provocative messages and calls for violence on social media.

Police have increased monitoring at entry points and terminals and are conducting selective checks for people considered suspicious. They are also working with community leaders, local officials, youth groups, and ride-hailing drivers to help prevent violence.

Authorities said there was no planned demonstration centered in Bekasi but were monitoring potential movements toward Jakarta.

What happened with the activist’s bank account?
The temporary suspension of a bank account belonging to Supriyono had become another source of tension ahead of the demonstration.

Supporters criticized the suspension as an attempt to disrupt the movement and raised concerns about freedom of expression.

Jakarta police said Wednesday that the account would be reactivated after authorities examined the matter.

Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri said the force would act cautiously and professionally while respecting the presumption of innocence.

Police said the initial suspension was intended to protect the personal data of Supriyono and his donors while the account was being examined.

Bank Mandiri President Director Riduan said the bank would promptly restore the account and apologized for any inconvenience.

Will Students Join the Protest?
The planned rally could also draw support from student groups, although the extent of their participation remains unclear.

The University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) was still holding internal discussions on Wednesday to decide whether it would participate in Thursday’s demonstration outside parliament.

BEM UI chairman Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan said the organization had not yet decided whether to send members directly to the rally or support it in another form.

“We are still holding internal discussions on whether we will join on the ground or from the air [online],” Yatalathof said Wednesday, without elaborating on what the alternative form of support would entail.

The group’s decision is being closely watched given BEM UI’s prominent role in previous student-led protests. As of Wednesday, however, there was no final decision on its involvement.

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