The government and the Indonesian Military (TNI) have dismissed speculation of imposed military rule following a week of violent protests that left casualties and widespread destruction in a number of cities, including the capital Jakarta.
Deputy TNI chief, General Tandyo Budi Revita, said the armed forces were not seeking to take over security functions from the police and were only deployed after being formally requested to assist.
“There is no intention for us to take over. The police are at the front line, and only when the situation demands that we [TNI] work together with them. We obey the Constitution. What we do is based on regulation and requests,” Tandyo said on Monday, September 1, 2025.
He added that President Prabowo Subianto had summoned National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto to his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on August30, 2025, instructing both institutions to act jointly and decisively in restoring order.
“Since then, TNI has assisted the police in securing the situation. Claims that we allowed the unrest or sought to take over are simply not true,” Tandyo said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan urged the public to differentiate between peaceful protest and anarchy.
“The government cannot tolerate actions that have turned violent, including vandalism, looting and threats to individuals,” Donny said.
He added that the President had ordered both the police and military to take “firm but measured” action against rioters.
The government’s reassurance comes amid growing online speculation that the unrest could pave the way for emergency rule. Officials, however, insist the state response will remain within constitutional limits.
Chairman of Defense Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR), Utut Adianto, echoed the government’s stance, saying that there was no such plan to declare martial law.
“We express our condolences for the lives lost in this situation. But the focus now is to maintain unity. The president’s approach is to embrace all elements of the nation, not to divide,” Utut said.
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