September 3, 2025 | 08:31 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) has confirmed that Indonesia will not declare a state of martial law or a military emergency. This declaration comes after widespread speculation during a recent wave of demonstrations that led to riots in several cities at the end of August and early September.
Deputy Chair of DPR Commission I, Dave Akbarsyah Fikarno Laksono, stated that the current situation does not warrant a military emergency. He noted that tensions have begun to subside since the protests.
"There is no military emergency. It is normal now, and it was normal yesterday," Dave said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Dave affirmed that civilian authority will continue to hold the highest power in the country. "The civilian supremacy that we have now," said the Golkar Party politician.
Demonstrators Detained, Casualties Rise
He also commented on the arrests of demonstrators by the police following the protests and riots, describing the issue as a matter for law enforcement. He added that the DPR Commission I would monitor the process.
Demonstrations and riots began on August 25, 2025, in various cities, resulting in casualties. The number of people who died, both from violence attributed to law enforcement and from the riots, continued to rise until Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Most of the deaths occurred during protests sparked by the death of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, during a protest in Jakarta on Thursday night, August 28, 2025. Following his death, the demonstrations spread across the country.
Deaths allegedly resulting from violence by law enforcement officers were reported in Jakarta, Semarang, and Yogyakarta. A separate riot in Makassar also led to casualties when the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building was set on fire by a mob. The deaths of residents in Solo and Manokwari were reportedly caused by police tear gas. To date, at least 10 deaths have been recorded.
President Prabowo's Response to Protests
In a separate statement, President Prabowo Subianto noted that some illegal actions in the past week's demonstrations were attempts at treason and terrorism. Prabowo affirmed that the government respects freedom of speech in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Law No. 9 of 1998, emphasizing that legitimate aspirations must be respected.
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