September 1, 2025 | 09:24 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amnesty International regrets the instruction from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to law enforcement officers to take firm action against what is considered anarchic masses in demonstrations. According to them, Prabowo's statement is dangerous as it could mask the root cause of the demonstrations, namely the public's dissatisfaction with the state's poor and unfair policies.
"Prabowo should conduct comprehensive and thorough evaluations of all policies that are unfavorable to the people and have led to the eruption of demonstrations," said Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid in a written statement on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
According to Amnesty, the state should respond to the demands of various groups of people by implementing comprehensive policy changes. For example, Usman mentioned improving the Free Nutritious Meals policy, Danantara's operations, all National Strategic Projects, and the parliamentary member allowance policy which is deemed unjust for the people.
In addition, an evaluation also needs to be carried out on the police's performance in securing demonstrations. This step must be accompanied by efforts to investigate and prosecute all security forces responsible for the excessive use of force.
"Starting from assault, arbitrary arrests, to the use of a vehicle that ran over Affan Kurniawan until he died," said Usman.
Previously, Prabowo summoned the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto amidst the heated situation in various regions following the death of online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan. Listyo stated that Prabowo instructed them to take firm action against any anarchist actions.
"The President's directive is clear, specifically for anarchic actions, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and Polri (Indonesian National Police) are instructed to take firm steps in accordance with the law," said Listyo, accompanied by Commander Agus Subiyanto at Kopi Koneng, Bojongkoneng, Bogor Regency, West Java after leaving President Prabowo's residence on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, Amnesty argues that the instruction seems to cover up state repression against critical voices. The government appears to ignore the fact that protest actions are a constitutional right guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution.
Law enforcers, according to Usman, have the authority to act against any criminal acts committed in the field. As long as all actions taken are in accordance with the principles of proportionality, necessity, and legality based on human rights values.
Usman emphasizes that the state must not use methods that violate human rights, even in responding to a criminal act. "There are established boundaries that law enforcement officers must comply with human rights principles in securing demonstration actions."
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