Reynas Abdila, Jakarta – A number of activists being detained at the Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police (Polda) detention centre have launched a joint hunger strike. One of those on the hunger strike is Syahdan Husein, the administrator of Gejayan Memanggil (Gejayan Calling).
Metro Jaya Regional Police public relations head Brigadier General Ade Ary Syam Indradi has stated that he has not received any information regarding the detainees' hunger strike.
"I haven't received any information yet, we'll check later", he told reporters at Polda Metro Jaya on Thursday September 18.
The police also explained the rules on visiting times. This was to refute claims by visitors that they were unable to visit the protesting detainees. "It's not unlimited, there are rules, there are times", added Indradi.
Earlier, Husein's older sister Sizigia Pikhansa said that her brother had been on hunger strike since September 11.
"Since September 11, Syahdan has been on hunger strike. Meaning as of today, it's been a week already. This is his protest against the arrests of all the activists. He said he will go on hunger strike until all the political prisoners are released", she said at the Metro Jaya police headquarters on Wednesday September 17.
A colleague of Husein, Khariq Anhar, who is also being held at the Metro Jaya detention centre, wrote a letter detailing Husein's condition.
"Tomorrow is the 6th day and his condition is getting worse, his body is thin and he has difficulty walking, sometimes he faints, we are worried that he will have a crisis in one or two days", wrote Anhar.
Anhar said that as of September 16, sixteen other political prisoners had joined the hunger strike as a form of resistance to their detention.
"We also, 16 people, have been on hunger strike since September 16, 2025, with the same hope, that freedom is the right of all democratic fighters. And we hope that the President will release us immediately!", he continued.
In the letter, Anhar also emphasised that the movement was a call to reject injustice in Indonesia.
"To my comrades, we must admit that this is our time. We are the children of the times who are aware of the need for change in the Republic of Indonesia. And this is the time! No need to wait. Get active, fight, and most importantly reject all corruption and falsehood!", Anhar asserted.
The political prisoners were part of a group arrested by police following demonstrations that took place in Jakarta from late August to early September.
Apart from Anhar and Husein, the other activists who were arrested include Lokataru Foundation Director Delpedro Marhaen, Lokataru staff member Muzaffar Salim, Figha Lesmana and Laras Faizati.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aktivis Gejayan Memanggil Mogok Makan di Rutan, Ini Tanggapan Polda Metro Jaya".]
