Death Toll from Indonesia's Recent Waves of Protests Climbs to 10

2 days ago 10

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of casualties in various cities across Indonesia continues to rise as protests are met with police violence, leading to hundreds of injuries, and even deaths. As of September 2, 2025, it was reported that 10 people have died in demonstrations across several cities, with allegations of police brutality in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

Besides Jakarta, the riot in Makassar and the burning of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) office have also resulted in casualties. Meanwhile, in Solo and Manokwari, local reports indicate the deaths of residents due to tear gas inhalation. Below is a list of identified casualties:

Septinus Sesa

Inspector General Johnny Edison Isir, the West Papua Regional Police Chief, confirmed that the police are investigating the death of Septinus Sesa during a blockade in the Wirsi area and Yosudarso street, Manokwari, on Thursday night, August 28, 2025. The investigation involves the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the Ombudsman, and the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) to ensure transparency.

The police chief denied reports alleging that Septinus died from tear gas inhalation, cloming that the crowd control equipment is not lethal. He emphasized that the investigation results will be made public and shared with the victim's family.

The West Papua Regional Police urged residents to restrain themselves, remain unprovoked, and await official information. The Public Relations Head of the West Papua Regional Police, Commissioner Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, told Tempo, "Investigation is underway, please give us time."

Iko Juliant Junior

Iko Juliant Junior, a student at the State University of Semarang (UNNES, Universitas Negeri Semarang), passed away at Kariadi Hospital on Sunday afternoon, August 31, 2025, after suffering critical injuries.

While in a delirious state, Iko pleaded for mercy, to not be beaten.

Based on the chronology compiled by the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law at UNNES, Iko rode a motorcycle to campus on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. He was wearing the UNNES Student Executive Board (BEM) uniform and carrying the faculty identity jacket in his backpack.

Later in the evening, Iko returned home and was picked up by a friend at around 11:00 p.m. to come for their friend who had been detained at the Central Java Regional Police after a protest. "It's not known whether they reached the police station or not," said Naufal Sebastian, a representative of the UNNES Faculty of Law Alumni Association, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

University student at the State University of Semarang, Iko Juliant Junior, who passed away. Doc. BEM FH UNNES

According to the UNNES Faculty of Law Alumni Association's investigation, Iko was taken to Kariadi Hospital in critical condition by the police at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Iko suffered damage to his internal organs.

The doctor advised that Iko undergo surgery, and the family agreed. "In his delirious state, he pleaded for help, to not be beaten," they said.

Iko passed away on the same day at 3:30 p.m. and he's laid to rest the following day.

Based on the victim's facial photos, Naufal said Iko had bruising around his eyes and a torn lip.

The Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Regional Police, Grand Commissioner Artanto, did not respond when asked to confirm the death Iko Juliant Junior.

Andika Luthfi Falah

Andika Luthfi Falah, a student from Pematang Village, Tigaraksa, Tangerang Regency, Banten, passed away while participating in a demonstration demanding the dissolution of the DPR in Jakarta on August 28, 2025. Andika, 16, an 11th grader at State Vocational High School (SMK) 14, was receiving intensive care at Dr. Mintoharjo Hospital in Jakarta before passing away.

According to Sugiono, the Head of the Andika's neighborhood unit in Puri Bidara Permai, the medical team explained that Andika suffered severe head injuries from blunt force trauma.

The family agreed not to pursue legal action. Andika's parents stated that they accepted their son's death.

Affan Kurniawan

Online motorcycle taxi (ride-hailing) driver, Affan Kurniawan, passed away after being run over by a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle in the Bendungan Hilir II flats area, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night, August 28, 2025. The 21-year-old fell when trying to retrieve his phone that had fallen amidst the crowd.

"He was in the middle of the road, his phone fell. When he tried to pick it up, he was run over by the vehicle," said Erna from the Quick Response Unit (URC) motorcycle taxi community at the funeral home in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Friday, August 29, 2025.

According to Erna, Affan tried to get up, but the barracuda vehicle reversed briefly and then drove away quickly from the location. As the crowd chased after it to the Kasablanka flyover, Affan was taken to the hospital in critical condition. "He was still alive in the emergency room. Five minutes after, he was gone," she said.

Syaiful Akbar

Riots in Makassar on Friday night, August 28, 2025, claimed four lives. The Makassar City Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that three people died in a fire at the Makassar City DPRD office, while another was beaten by a crowd on Urip Sumoharjo Street.

Syaiful, 43, was the Head of the Population Welfare Section (Kesra) of Ujung Tanah Sub-district. He passed away at Grestelina Hospital. Syaiful was one of the three victims trapped in the fire at the Makassar City DPRD building.

TASPEN Makassar distributing work accident death benefits to the heirs of civil servants Saiful Akbar who died while on duty in a demonstration in front of the Makassar City DPRD. The handover was carried out at the victim's family's residence on Monday, September 1, 2025. Doc. TASPEN

Muhammad Akbar Basri

Muhammad Akbar Basri, a 28-year-old public relations photographer for the Makassar City DPRD, was found by the Search and Rescue (SAR) team on the third floor of the building in charred condition. It is suspected that he hid with his colleague to avoid the mob but was trapped when the fire intensified.

Sarinawati

A staff member of the Makassar City DPRD was also found dead on the third floor of the building. Similar to Akbar, the 25-year-old staffer was hiding from the rioting crowd but was trapped when the fire spread.

Rusmadiansyah

Reported by Antara, Rusmadiansyah was not a university student participating in the protests. He was beaten by a mob on Urip Sumoharjo Street, in front of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) Campus. The mob accused him of being a police intelligence officer. He was taken to a hospital but could not be saved.

Rheza Sendy Pratama

Rheza Sendy Pratama, a fifth-semester Communication Science student at Amikom University Yogyakarta, died during clashes in the North Ring Road area, in front of the Yogyakarta Regional Police Headquarters, on Sunday morning, August 31, 2025.

His father, Yoyon Surono, was shocked by the extent of his injuries. "The back of his neck was broken, his temple was oozing, there were many traces of police boots on his chest and stomach, and bruises from beatings on his body," he said tearfully.

Rheza had initially told his family he was going out for coffee with friends, but it's believed he joined the protest. She was taken to Dr. Sardjito General Hospital by a police health unit and was pronounced dead at 7:00 a.m.

Mourners escort the body of the student from Amikom University Yogyakarta, Rheza Sendy Pratama, to the public cemetery in Mlati Sleman. Rheza was suspected to have died in clashes with authorities in the North Ring Road area, August 31, 2025. Tempo/Pribadi Wicaksono

Police explained that there was an overnight attack on Yogyakarta Regional Police office, where about 500 people threw rocks, firecrackers, and Molotov cocktails, and pulled the barbed wire of the security fence. The police and the military disbanded the crowd at 06:00 a.m. because the demonstration was deemed disturbing and the road was blocked.

"This attack involved children, and some were still middle and high school students. Some of them tested positive for drugs," said the Head of Public Relations of the Yogyakarta Regional Police, Commissioner Ihsan.

Sumari

The demonstration in Solo, Central Java, led to the death of Sumari, a 60-year-old pedicab driver. According to Radar Solo, Sumari was found in a weakened state near the Ketandan parking building during a clash between the crowd and police at the Gladak Roundabout.

"The victim was sitting, then vomited while holding his chest. Together with the residents, we took him to Dr. Moewardi Regional Hospital, but his life could not be saved," said Rudy Ardhiawan, a local officer.

Sumari's family acknowledged that the man from Pacitan, East Java, had a history of heart disease and asthma. But residents suspected that exposure to tear gas, carried by the wind from the clash, may have worsened his health.

Sumari's body was buried in his hometown, Pacitan. His departure added to the grief amidst the chilling night in Solo, when fires blazed the streets and tear gas filled the air.