Politics · Indonesia · 6 hrs ago
Nonstudent Says He Was Paid to Attend Jakarta Student Declaration
About 100 people attended a youth declaration at Jakarta’s Bundaran HI on October 29, a day after a large protest involving students and other groups.
The event, organized by Jakarta police, called for national unity, tolerance and action against online hoaxes and hate speech.
One participant, Bayu Setiadi, said he was not a student and had been paid to attend after being invited by a community.
He had worn a jacket bearing the name of Dian Nusantara University, and a UBSI lecturer criticized the use of university clothing when participants’ ties to the campuses were unclear.
The case revived the term “mahasewa” for people paid to pose as students or join counter-demonstrations.
Academics said such tactics have been used to weaken student activism, which can help mobilize wider public opposition.
One social observer said the revelation could strengthen criticism of the government, but no further action was specified.
About 100 people attended a youth declaration at Jakarta’s Bundaran HI on October 29, 2026, wearing university jackets.
Bayu Setiadi later said he was not a student and had been paid to attend.
The event, initiated by Jakarta Metro Police, called for national unity, tolerance and action against online hoaxes, hate speech and provocation.
A UBSI lecturer criticized the use of the university’s jacket, while asking for accountability from whoever had told Sari to attend.
The declaration took place a day after a large demonstration involving thousands of people, including students.
- Who
- About 100 participants attended. Bayu Setiadi said he was not a student and had been paid to attend.
- What
- Participants held the 2026 Indonesian Youth Pledge Student Declaration. They called for unity, tolerance and action against online hoaxes, hate speech and provocation.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Bundaran HI, Jakarta.
- Why
- The declaration called on young people to support unity and tolerance and counter online hoaxes, hate speech and provocation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A large demonstration involving thousands of people from several groups, including students, took place.
About 100 people attended the student declaration at Bundaran HI in Jakarta.
Bayu Setiadi acknowledged that he was not a student and said he had been paid to attend.
UBSI lecturer Ziko Harnadi criticized the misuse of the university’s jacket in a social media post.
- Attendance
- At least 100 people, according to Kompas.id
- Date
- October 29, 2026
- Location
- Bundaran HI, Jakarta
- Bayu Setiadi
- Said he was not a student and had been paid to attend
- Event organizer
- Jakarta Metro Police
- Declaration theme
- Patriotic, Resilient, Empathetic: Youth for Indonesia
3 sources
What people are saying
I was paid.
The aim is to dampen the real student movement.
This counter-action has grown to dampen strong criticism of the government’s performance.
Seeing the almamater being misused, for me this already amounts to defamation of UBSI.