Sunday, 12 July 2026
BANDA ACEH | INDATANEWS.COM - A student demonstration in Banda Aceh on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, proceeded in accordance with applicable regulations but ended with police enforcement after protesters remained at the Aceh Governor's Office area beyond the permitted time limit.
Aceh Government Spokesperson Dr. Nurlis Effendi emphasized that the provincial government had consistently opened space for dialogue from the outset. However, the student group reportedly chose not to continue direct communication with officials.Government's Open Invitation to Dialogue
Read Also:Nurlis stated that the Aceh Government had attempted to build communication through an academic and dialog-based approach since the beginning of the protest. He stressed that the administration never closed the door for discussion and had prepared senior officials to engage directly with the demonstrators.
"Even though the students rejected dialogue, they carried out their role as protesters, and the police carried out their duties," Nurlis said in Banda Aceh.
He added that the Secretary of Aceh, Nasir Syamaun, had previously opened dialogue during the first wave of the protest. In subsequent demonstrations, Asisten III of the Aceh Regional Secretariat Murtala and Head of the Aceh Inspectorate Abdullah also attended to facilitate discussions, but the offer was declined.
Read Also:
Repeated Refusal of Dialogue Across Protest Waves
Nurlis noted that the refusal to engage in dialogue occurred across multiple protest phases. During the latest demonstration, the government once again prepared senior officials to meet the students, including Acting Head of the Aceh Health Office Ferdiyus, Acting Head of Legal Bureau Dr. Dekstro Alfa, and Nurlis himself."For today's protest, Acting Head of the Health Office Ferdiyus and Acting Head of Legal Bureau Dr. Dekstro Alfa were already waiting, as well as myself. However, they still refused to engage in dialogue," he said.
Read Also:He reiterated that the Aceh Government is not opposed to criticism, stating that public criticism is part of democratic dynamics, including expressions delivered through social media and protest banners.
Protest Exceeds Time Limit, Police Conduct Orderly Enforcement
Read Also:According to Nurlis, the demonstration was registered with the Banda Aceh Police as the final day of a three-day series of protests.
He explained that police repeatedly urged participants not to engage in any acts of violence or provocation. However, some demonstrators attempted to break through police barricades and approach the governor's office building.
"Police repeatedly warned against any anarchic actions, but they attempted to break through the police line to enter the governor's office," Nurlis said.After the permitted time ended at 6:00 p.m. local time, officers again instructed the crowd to disperse. As the students remained in the governor's office courtyard, police eventually carried out an orderly clearance operation to evacuate the area.
Read Also:JKA Policy Review to Be Considered
Despite the tense conclusion of the protest, Nurlis emphasized that the Aceh Government respects public aspirations. He confirmed that all inputs from the demonstration would be considered in evaluating regional policies.
"Even though we were criticized harshly, the Aceh Government still appreciates the demonstration and will use it as material for evaluating Governor Regulation No. 2 of 2026 on the Aceh Welfare Guarantee (JKA)," he said. (IDNC)REPORTER: Adli Safwan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
Read Also:
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28