TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Protests condemning unjust policies by the government and the Indonesian parliament continue to take place in Yogyakarta this week. As of Tuesday, September 2, 2025, student protests are still ongoing, particularly on the Yogya-Solo road near the State Islamic University (UIN) Yogyakarta.
Nevertheless, the police have declared Yogyakarta in general safe, allowing for normal economic, governmental, and tourism activities.
"Overall, Yogyakarta is in a conducive state, despite the ongoing activities (of mass protests), but security and traffic management are still running smoothly," said the Yogyakarta Police Chief, Inspector General Anggoro Sukartono, after meeting with Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X for three hours on Tuesday afternoon, September 2, 2025.
Malioboro tourist area, Yogyakarta, September 2, 2025. Tempo/Pribadi Wicaksono
Malioboro Crowded with Visitors
Tempo's observations show that since Tuesday, shops and shopping centers in Malioboro have resumed operations with visitors flocking to the area. The streets are no longer barricaded and heavily guarded by security forces, as was the case on Monday, September 1, 2025.
However, government buildings such as the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and the Governor's Office complex remain heavily guarded. Access roads to the government complex are still blocked by water barriers and guarded by police and soldiers.
Sunarni, a 43-year-old food vendor on the outskirts of Beringharjo Market, said she started to roam around selling cakes and bottled water to visitors in the area on Tuesday afternoon.
"Alhamdulillah, today tourist area is lively again, and I can start selling. It was quiet yesterday (Monday), all the streets were guarded, no one came to Malioboro, and shops were closed," said the Bantul resident.
Sultan Hamengkubuwono X's Appeal
Meanwhile, in order to maintain a peaceful situation in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X has gathered several university leaders in Yogyakarta following the recent protests that were marred by riots on Sunday night, August 31, 2025.
The meeting included leaders from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta State University (UNY), Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN), the Yogyakarta National Veteran Development University (UPN), the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI), the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII), Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY), Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta (UAJY), Sanata Dharma University (USD), and Amikom Yogyakarta University.
Malioboro tourist area, Yogyakarta, September 2, 2025. Tempo/Pribadi Wicaksono
During the meeting, the governor emphasized the need for all parties to maintain democratic values in Yogyakarta through peaceful and respectful means. "Expressing aspirations is allowed, it is the right of every citizen. However, I hope that it's done properly, politely, and without violence," he said.
The governor also asked the university leaders to guide the students so they are not easily provoked. According to him, students have a primary obligation to pursue their education.
"We do not prohibit the expression of aspirations, but I ask that for the youngsters, there's no need to skip school. Their duty is to study. As for the students, please express your aspirations in a mature, good-faith manner, without causing casualties or damage," he said.
The police themselves reported that they had arrested 60 people during the period of demonstrations in Yogyakarta, from Friday to Sunday, August 29-31, 2025. Out of the 60 individuals arrested, 59 have been freed, but one is still undergoing legal proceedings for possessing a molotov cocktail during the protests concentrated in the northern ring-road area, near the Yogyakarta Regional Police Headquarters last weekend.
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