Indonesia Business Post
President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday, August 31, 2025, raised concerns over what he described as “indications of treason and terrorism” emerging from the violent wave of protests that have gripped Jakarta and a number of cities across the country in recent days.
Speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Palace alongside political party leaders, Prabowo acknowledged the people’s right to express their grievances peacefully but stressed that any actions involving anarchy, looting, or violence would be met with firm response from law enforcement agencies.
“Delivering aspirations must be done peacefully. But when demonstrations turn into anarchic activities that destabilize the country, destroy public facilities, or even cause casualties, that is a violation of the law,” Prabowo said.
“In such cases, the state must step in to protect its citizens,” he cited.
Accompanying the president in the press conference were Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democrtic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri; Ahmad Muzani, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Chairman of the Gerindra Party's Honorary Council; Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Bahlil Lahadalia, Chairman of Golkar Party; Zulkifli Hasan, Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN); Surya Paloh, Chairman of the NasDem Party (NasDem); Muhaimin Iskandar, Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB); M. Kholid, Secretary General of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS); Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR); and Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD).
Prabowo further instructed both the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to take “the firmest possible action” against perpetrators of vandalism, looting of private homes, or destruction of public facilities and economic centers.
“We cannot deny that signs of unlawful acts are already visible, some of which even point toward treason and terrorism,” the president warned.
Prabowo also emphasized that security forces must balance firmness with the duty to protect civilians and respect democratic rights. “Pure aspirations must be respected. The right to gather peacefully must be guaranteed and protected,” he said.
To ease tensions, the president said he had requested House of Representatives (DPR) leaders to engage directly with civil society groups, students, and other stakeholders in dialogue. He also hinted that several controversial policies could soon be revoked following pressure from the public.
The president’s statement came in the aftermath of violent unrest and calls for accountability following violent clashes near the DPR complex over the weekend, where at least one demonstrator was killed and several others injured.
“They will immediately move to revoke some policies at the DPR. I have already conveyed this to them,” Prabowo noted, without providing further details.
Religious figures
Earlier on Saturday, August 30, 2025, President Prabowo also invited a number of leaders of Muslim organizations, including the two largest organizations −Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah − to the palace to discuss efforts to establish conducive condition in country in the wake of the violent protests.
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