The August 2025 Indonesian Protests:
A Governance Crisis and a Call for Accountability

In late August 2025, Indonesia was gripped by widespread civil unrest that saw large-scale demonstrations escalate into violent clashes between protesters and security forces. The immediate trigger was a controversial decision by the House of Representatives (DPR) to increase lawmakers' allowances and benefits, a move widely perceived as being tone-deaf given the broader economic challenges facing Indonesian citizens, including high living costs and youth unemployment. This decision, less than a year after President Prabowo Subianto's inauguration, ignited simmering frustrations over elite corruption and a lack of accountability within the political system. The protests, led by students, labor unions, and civil society groups, were met with a forceful response from the Indonesian National Police, which used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.


The situation was inflamed by the death of Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver killed by a police tactical vehicle on Thursday 28 August during a police crackdown. This tragedy, deemed a human rights violation by Komnas HAM, triggered nationwide outrage and prompted demands for police reform and accountability. The protests, originally focused on the lawmakers’ allowances, expanded to include broader issues of police brutality and economic inequality. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta issued multiple demonstration alerts, reflecting the seriousness of the unrest and the government's struggle to manage the situation. In response to the protests, the DPR's meeting agenda was drastically reduced, and both government and many private sector employees were given permission to work from home.


The unrest has had significant repercussions across multiple sectors, exposing a governance crisis marked by weak checks and balances. Citizens feel that legislative channels for dissent are minimal, making street protests their primary outlet. The protests have also caused economic disruption, with the Jakarta provincial government estimating damages and losses at Rp55 billion due to vandalism, infrastructure repair, and business disruption. This instability has raised questions about Indonesia’s investment climate, potentially deterring foreign direct investment and potentially damaging the country’s reputation as a reliable emerging market. The protests eroded trust between citizens and the state, widening the polarization between government elites and the general populace. The heavy-handed response from security forces has created a new generation of disillusioned youth, raising the risk of further social instability.


Experts view the protests not as isolated incidents but as a stark wake-up call for the government to address systemic issues. They fear that the government's heavy-handed response could lead to further radicalization and a dangerous cycle of protest and repression. Analysts also point to a culture of police brutality and a democratic system where the legislature is seen as a rubber-stamp function of the executive. In addressing these challenges, experts and rights groups suggest a multi-dimensional approach that includes strengthening democratic accountability, implementing targeted economic policies to address core grievances, reforming political culture to limit elite privileges, and improving dialogue channels. They also call for enhanced professionalism within the security forces to prevent unnecessary violence and safeguard civic space. By proactively addressing these root causes, the nation may begin to restore public trust and ensure long-term stability.


Postscript: In the days following the protests, the government opened discussions with protesting groups and organizations, indicating that it was open to constructive dialogue. A deep cabinet reshuffle brought in a new finance minister who introduced welfare-focused policies that appeared responsive to protesters’ demands, and restored fiscal transfers from Jakarta to the regions - a key point of contention. Whether this and other new measures will be sufficient to assuage further unrest is still uncertain. For many, these measures help to restore that vital trust, but for some, they do not go far enough.           

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POLITICS

September 24, 2025

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