Indonesian Students Report Police Violence Amid Protests
A group of students in Indonesia raised concerns about police “brutal attacks” during protests at two universities in Bandung on Monday. This unrest ties into a broader national movement against government corruption.
The demonstrations kicked off on August 25 outside the parliament building in Jakarta, the capital. Protesters expressed their anger over lawmakers receiving a reported housing allowance of $3,000 a month, which felt excessive in a country where the average monthly salary hovers under $800. Even in Jakarta, where salaries are higher, this benefit was nearly ten times more than what most citizens earn.
The rising cost of living had already created public dissatisfaction before the major protests erupted. The annual budget released last month included significant cuts to local programs, prompting local officials to impose unpopular tax hikes to cover the gap.
On the first day of protests, tensions escalated quickly into violence. Demonstrators vandalized government properties and looted the residences of members of Congress as well as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, driven partly by a deepfake video that alleged damaging comments about a school teacher.
The protests surged across the nation after the death of a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, Awankruniawan, who was killed by a police vehicle during a protest in Jakarta on August 28. His death became emblematic of the citizens’ feelings of neglect by the government.
President Prabowo Subianto, a former general who took office in May 2024, responded with a heavy-handed approach to the protests, viewing them as a threat to his authority and the country’s stability. He was particularly concerned about the escalating costs of damage, which were estimated to run into millions in Jakarta alone.
Last weekend, Prabowo stated that while the right to peaceful assembly should be respected, the protests also bordered on acts of treason. He has since allowed police to deploy strict measures, including tear gas and rubber bullets.
The death toll from the protests rose to six as of Sunday, including another young man killed during clashes in Jogja Carta. Human rights groups have reported missing persons connected to the violence and called attention to the crackdown in various cities.
Amid the turmoil, the president moderated his tone on Sunday, calling off a planned trip to China and convening an emergency meeting with religious and political leaders to address the crisis. Despite acknowledging the protests as “disorderly,” Prabowo promised to revoke some of the lawmakers’ perks that incited the unrest, including the housing allowances.
A significant protest unfolded at Islamic University (UNISBA) and Pasundan University in Bandung on Monday night. In a notable shift, police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets near the schools for the first time during the ongoing protests. Authorities claimed they would not enter the campuses, focusing instead on non-lethal methods to manage the crowd of “non-student protesters” surrounding the area.
Student representatives, however, reported that they faced “brutal attacks” for opposing government policies. Non-student protesters in the vicinity asserted they were there to offer protection and medical assistance to the students.
“We feel like the campus is no longer safe for students,” said Raviv Tuanku Alsaid, the head of Unisba’s Islamic Student Union. “When military or security personnel come to our campus, it no longer feels like a safe zone.”
Labor groups joined the protests, voicing their issues related to “inequality” and advocating for higher wages and trade protections. The movement’s manifesto, shared on social media under the hashtag “#ReseTindonesia,” had expanded to include 25 different demands by Monday.
