Yesterday, the 80th Anniversary of Bhayangkara Day, BEM UI brought a coffin for the police

BEM UI carrying a coffin at the 80th Bhayangkara Day/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - A contrasting scene colored the 80th anniversary of Bhayangkara Day in front of the National Police Headquarters (Mabes), Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Alliance of Student Executive Bodies of Universities in Indonesia (BEM UI) held a symbolic action titled #MatinyaReformasiPolri as a form of criticism of the police institution.

Around 30 students who participated in the action carried a number of attributes with a sense of grief.

They carried a wooden and bamboo coffin covered with green cloth that read "Police of the Republic of Indonesia".

In addition, the mass also carried a wreath of black and yellow flowers with the inscription, "We also mourn the death of the reform of the National Police - BEM Alliance Se-UI", as a symbol of protest against the reform conditions in the National Police.

Responding to the action, the Head of the Public Relations Division (Kadiv Humas) of the National Police, Inspector General Johnny Edison Isir, emphasized that the National Police is open to constructive criticism and input to strengthen the institutional transformation process.

"The National Police always have an open attitude and are ready to accept constructive criticism and input from various elements and components of the nation for the strengthening of the transformation of the National Police," Johnny said when contacted by VOI, Thursday, July 2, 2026.

He added, the National Police considers the criticism conveyed by the public as a form of concern for the institution.

"The National Police is grateful and considers this as a form of love and concern for the elements of the nation's components for the National Police institution," he concluded.