September 3, 2025 | 08:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian student representatives have urged the leadership of the House of Representatives (DPR) to summon National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and demand the release of all students detained during nationwide demonstrations between August 25–31, 2025.
The appeal came from Abdul Hakim El, Head of the Higher Education, Student, and Youth Affairs Division (PTKP) of the Central Board of the Islamic Students Association (PB HMI), during a dialogue between parliament leaders and student groups at the DPR Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 3.
Attending the meeting on behalf of the DPR were Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party Faction, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, Deputy Chairman of the National Awakening Party Faction, and Saan Mustopa, Deputy Chairman of the NasDem Party Faction.
“I am asking the three deputy chairs present here, please call the Chief of Police now and tell him to release our fellow students who were arrested in police resorts and regional headquarters across Indonesia,” Abdul Hakim said.
His statement was met with unanimous support from other student representatives, who applauded and voiced their agreement. “Agreed,” one student exclaimed, echoed by others in the room.
Abdul Hakim stressed that those arrested were not rioters or agitators but students exercising their right to free expression. “We did not commit arson, vandalism, or any destructive acts,” he said. “So once again, we respectfully urge the House leadership to immediately contact the Chief of Police. Release our friends who are still detained. After that, we can continue this forum. Areed?”
Despite the calls, the three DPR leaders did not immediately act on the request, and the meeting continued.
The dialogue followed a week of protests across Indonesia that turned violent, leaving at least 10 civilians dead.
The audience session began around 02:30 PM WIB and was attended by various student organizations, including the Student Executive Bodies (BEM) of the University of Indonesia, Trisakti University, and UPN Veteran Jakarta.
Other groups present included the Student Senate of the People’s Struggle Islamic University, the Student Senate of the People’s Resurgence Islamic University, the Executive Board of the State Islamic Higher Education Student Senate (Dema PTKIN), and the Indonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI), all of whom presented their demands to parliament.
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