Jakarta Police Release 101 Detained May Day Demonstrators

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) have released 101 participants of the May Day demonstration in front of the DPR/MPR RI complex in Central Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026, after previously detaining them on suspicion of attempting to trigger unrest during the rally.

The Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the 101 individuals were sent home after undergoing intensive questioning.

“Last night, the 101 individuals returned to their respective homes and were picked up by their families and accompanied by LBH Jakarta,” he said when contacted on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Budi said police are still investigating allegations of attempted provocation during the May Day rally, including examining evidence suspected to have been prepared to incite disorder.

“Certainly, the items found and the action plan leaflets are still being investigated by the Law Enforcement Task Force of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, said the detained individuals were suspected of being part of an anarchist or rioting group attempting to infiltrate the labor protest. Those detained were aged between 20 and 35 years old.

He claimed that, based on investigation findings, the group planned to sow discord among labor unions by blending into the demonstration. Police also alleged that they intended to damage public facilities and infrastructure.

Iman said the group was also suspected of planning to provoke and attack security officers.

“They will also use social media to provoke efforts so that more violent masses can join, or incite the anger of other masses,” he said during a press conference at Polda Metro Jaya on Friday, May 1, 2026.

According to police findings, the group allegedly prepared a detailed schedule outlining when unrest would be carried out during the protest. From the 101 individuals, police seized several items, including empty bottles, cloth materials, and fuel suspected to be used for making Molotov cocktails.

Police also confiscated concrete nails, which Iman said were intended to damage buildings or concrete barriers. He added that the individuals had assigned roles during the demonstration.

“Some were involved in damaging concrete or barrier fencing, so that when the time came for the riot, it would be easier for them to bring down the barrier fencing,” he said.

Other confiscated items included slingshots with ammunition, sharp weapons, alleged riot plans, communication devices, and cash totaling Rp 0,961,100.

Nabiila Azzahra contributed to the writing of this article.

Read: Jakarta Police Detain 101 People During May Day Rally

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