Jakarta Metro Police are investigating reports of foamy bottled tea distributed to demonstrators during the 28 October 2026 protest in Jakarta, after video of the drinks went viral on social media, Indonesianow reported on 29 October, citing detikNews. Police are working to identify who provided the drinks. In the circulating posts, a number of protesters were seen attempting to consume tea that appeared to be in a foamy condition. It was claimed the tea had been stored among the crowd. Jakarta Metro Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto emphasised that it was not officers who distributed the tea, and urged the public not to be provoked by the circulating narrative.
“Police never distributed bottled tea”
“It looks like there is a framing attempt regarding the receipt of the bottled tea. It is clear that the police never distributed bottled tea. So, let us not be distracted, let us not get carried away by those provocations,” Budi told reporters at the HI Roundabout in Central Jakarta on Thursday 29 October, as reported by detikNews. Budi said his office would request information from the person who uploaded the video, and would likely seek clarification from the person who received the tea box. “Freedom in the digital space will serve as an evaluation for the Jakarta Metro Police in particular,” he explained, according to the report.
What is — and isn’t — confirmed
What is confirmed is that police are investigating, that a video circulated, and that police deny distributing the tea. What caused the foaming, who supplied the drinks, and whether anyone was harmed have not been established in the reports available, and this post does not claim otherwise. The incident is a reminder of how quickly an unverified clip can become a protest story in itself — and why police, protesters and viewers alike are now waiting for the investigation, not the rumour, to answer the key questions.
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