Medan –

Dozens of students from the University of North Sumatra (USU) held a demonstration in front of the North Sumatra Police Headquarters, demanding that Police Chief Inspector General Whisnu Hermawan Februanto resign from his position. Whisnu met with the students and stated he was willing to be transferred if there was a secret telegram letter (TR) from the National Police Chief regarding his reassignment.

Initially, the dozens of students held the action in front of the North Sumatra Police Headquarters. The crowd conveyed their demands related to online motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was killed after being run over by a Brimob (Mobile Brigade) truck. In addition, the crowd also condemned the repressive actions of police officers against their fellow students during the protest.

After some time, Whisnu came out and met the protesters at the gate of the North Sumatra Police Headquarters. Whisnu then invited all the students to sit on the ground.

In front of Whisnu, a representative of the protesters conveyed their demands, including the demand for Whisnu to resign from his position.

«We urge you to resign, we must state this here, sir. Why must you resign from the position of police chief? This is a form of your moral and institutional responsibility,» said one of the protest representatives.

The protesters also asked Whisnu to thoroughly investigate the repressive actions of police officers. They claimed their comrades had also become victims.

«From the police SOP that we have observed, we know that the police should not be provoked by emotions when handling protesters. Therefore, no repressive actions by officers are permitted whatsoever. We demand a thorough investigation into the repressive actions of officers during the security of protests in North Sumatra and to ensure a transparent legal process,» they explained.

Responding to the demand for his resignation as North Sumatra Police Chief, Whisnu stated he was willing if there was an order from the National Police Chief.

«I have been the North Sumatra Police Chief since June 2024. I gladly accept the grievances of my younger siblings (the students), my children. I am a member of the police force, I am ready to be assigned anywhere, as long as there is an order from the National Police Chief. I spent 7 years in Papua, facing our brothers and sisters there,» said Whisnu in front of the students.

Whisnu was willing to transfer today if a telegram letter was issued by the National Police Chief.

«If I am ordered to move, if there is a TR today, I will move,» he said.

It was previously reported that dozens of USU students held a demonstration in front of the North Sumatra Police Headquarters on Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Medan City. The protesters began gathering at the location at around 2:50 PM local time. About 50 students participated in the action.

They wore their campus alma mater jackets. The protesters were seen carrying several posters such as ‘Solidarity for Affan Kurniawan’, ‘We Are Demonstrators, Not Anarchists’, and ‘Are You Protectors or Murderers?’.

In addition, the crowd also hung several banners at the gate of the North Sumatra Police Headquarters. Among the banners were ones that read ‘Police are Murderers, North Sumatra Police Step Down’, ‘Dismiss the North Sumatra Police Chief’.

The crowd condemned the death of online motorcycle taxi driver (ojol) Affan Kurniawan, who was killed after being run over by a Brimob truck. The crowd also condemned the repressive actions of police officers against their fellow students during the protest.

As a form of solidarity, the student protesters held a flower scattering action in front of the North Sumatra Police Headquarters gate and threw them towards the police personnel on guard inside the headquarters.

«They are the murderers, friends. This is a form of solidarity for Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a police officer. This is also a form of solidarity for our friends who faced repressive actions,» said the speaker.

University of North Sumatra

The University of North Sumatra (Universitas Sumatera Utara or USU) was established in 1952 as the first state university outside of Java, initially founded by local initiative to meet the demand for higher education in the region. It has since grown into a major public university in Indonesia, renowned for its contributions to research and its expansive campus in the city of Medan.

North Sumatra Police Headquarters

The North Sumatra Police Headquarters is the central command for regional law enforcement in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province. It was established as part of the national police force following Indonesia’s independence, operating to maintain security and order in the region. The headquarters oversees police operations and administration across the province’s diverse territories.

Brimob

I am unable to provide a summary for «Brimob» as it is not a cultural site or place, but rather the common abbreviation for the Indonesian Mobile Brigade Corps (Korps Brigade Mobil), a special operations paramilitary police force. It was established in 1945 and is part of the Indonesian National Police.

Mobile Brigade

The term «Mobile Brigade» (Brimob) refers to the special operations and paramilitary police unit of the Indonesian National Police. It was established by the Dutch colonial administration in 1945 to combat Indonesian revolutionaries and was later integrated into the national police force after independence. The unit is known for its counter-terrorism and riot control operations, though it has also been involved in significant human rights controversies throughout its history.

National Police

The National Police is a modern law enforcement institution in France, established in its current form in 1966, though its origins trace back to the late 19th century. It is a civilian force responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law in large urban areas across the country. It operates under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior.

Jalan Sisingamangaraja

Jalan Sisingamangaraja is a major thoroughfare in Jakarta, Indonesia, named in honor of Sisingamangaraja XII, a national hero and Batak king who led a long resistance against Dutch colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the street is a prominent commercial and diplomatic hub, notably home to the U.S. Embassy and numerous upscale shopping centers.

Medan City

Medan is the capital of North Sumatra, Indonesia, and historically grew into a major economic hub due to its establishment as a center for the region’s lucrative tobacco and rubber plantations during the Dutch colonial era. Today, it is a bustling, multicultural metropolis known for its diverse architecture, which includes colonial-era buildings, and as a gateway to Lake Toba.

USU

I am unable to provide a summary for «USU» as it is not a widely recognized cultural site or place. The acronym could refer to several different things, such as a university (Utah State University), a company, or another local institution, and without more specific context, I cannot accurately summarize its history.