President Prabowo Subianto visited the Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Monday, September 1, 2025, where he witnessed himself the severe injuries suffered by police officers and civilians following violent protests in the capital city last weekend.

“In many places, I received reports that trucks came carrying large and heavy fireworks. Many of our officers were hit – some had burns on their necks, some on their thighs,” Prabowo said.

“Imagine if a man’s vital organs were burned. This is clearly rioting, with the intent to burn and destroy. Trucks filled with incendiary tools were found,” he added.

Prabowo said 43 people had been injured, with 17 still being treated at the police hospital – 14 police officers and three civilians.

“One is a woman who was on her way to the market when her leg was broken and her motorcycle was taken by what we believe were rioters,” he said, while adding that one officer had to undergo skull surgery due to severe head injuries.

Firm action

Prabowo emphasized that peaceful demonstrations are protected by law but warned that rioters would face firm action. “If demonstrators are genuine and peaceful, they must be protected by security forces. But demonstrations must follow the law, including securing permits and ending by 6 p.m.,” he said.

The president expressed concern over the violence and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting ordinary Indonesians. “People came to places where they don’t belong, with intentions to burn, destroy, and incite public anger. This is my concern, but there will be firm action,” he said.

Aftermath update

At least eight people have died and dozens of public facilities were damaged as a result of a series of violent protests that began in Jakarta on Thursday, August 28, 2025 until Sunday.

“We have begun cleaning and repairing the stops since Aug. 30. We expect restoration to be completed by September 8 or 9,” Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said on Monday, September 1, 2025 after a meeting with the regional leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda) at City Hall.

The protests in Jakarta resulted in the destruction of at least 22 Transjakarta bus stops. Pramono said six of the bust stops were burned while 16 others were vandalized.

Indonesia Business Post noted on Saturday evening, August 30, 2025, several toll gates in Jakarta were also damaged and looted during the unrest.

The protests spread to other regions across the country, escalating into riots marked by arson, vandalism, and violent clashes.

Regional legislative council (DPRD) buildings in West Java and South Sulawesi were set on fire, while the historic Grahadi State Building in Surabaya, East Java, was burned to the ground by a group of unknown people who are suspected of not being residents of the East Javca capital.

The riots also turned deadly. Among the victims was Affan Kurniawan, a 21year-old online motorcycle taxi driver who died after being struck by a police armored vehicle in Jakarta on Aug. 28, 2025.

In Yogyakarta, Rheza Sendy Pratama, a 21-year-old student of Amikom University, died from injuries sustained after joining a protest that lasted from Saturday night until early Sunday. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of his death.

In Makassar, three people were killed after being trapped inside the burning South Sulawesi DPRD building. Another victim, Rusdamdianyah (25), died in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday, Aug. 30, after undergoing medical treatment. He was previously suspected of being attacked by a mob on Friday, after being accused of being an intelligence agent.

Makassar Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Muhammad Fadli Tahar reported on Saturday that four people were killed, four seriously injured, and three others sustained minor injuries in the incident. The victims included DPRD staff member Muh Akbar Basri, his colleague Sarinawati (26), Syaiful (43).

BPBD estimated material losses from the fire at Rp 253.4 billion (US$15.7 million), though the figure is still being assessed and could rise, according to BPBD assessment chief Yuli Rachmat.

The mounting death toll and destruction have sparked heated debates online. Many social media users voiced concern after President Prabowo Subianto instructed the police and military to take “firm and measured steps” in response to the unrest, with some fearing the possibility of a military emergency being declared.

The latest, the eighth fatality was Andika Lutfi Falah, a student at State Vocational School 14 in Tangerang Regency, who died after being treated at Mintohardio Indonesian Navy Hospital in Central Jakarta. He was in a coma for three days due to police violence.