Police criticised for response to protests near campuses
Police used tear gas on crowds of protesters near two universities in Bandung, the capital of Indonesia’s West Java province, this week, according to authorities and student groups, amid ongoing nationwide protests over government spending. Around 10 people have been killed since the unrest erupted last week.
On Monday 1 September, police fired tear gas near the campuses of the Islamic University of Bandung (UNISBA) and nearby Pasundan University.
According to police official Hendra Rochmawan, the authorities did not enter either campus but tried to break up crowds of non-student protesters who had been seeking protection within the university grounds as crowds blocked the roads in the area.
Nevertheless, the UNISBA student body accused security forces of seeking to silence dissent, saying they “brutally attacked” the campus, noting the tear gas had caused breathing problems for some students.
UNISBA Rector Harits Nu’man denied the chaos was caused by students, Antara news agency reported, and students and others have condemned the actions of the police. The Student Executive Body (BEM) of the University of Indonesia (UI), in a statement on Tuesday 2 September deplored what it called “police repressive action”.
“We condemn the security forces’ brutal attack on the Bandung Islamic University and Pasundan University campuses. The attack is a gross violation of democracy and human rights as guaranteed by our constitution,” said the statement as read out by BEM UI chairperson Atan Zayid.
Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technological Innovation Brian Yuliarto also condemned the actions of the police, saying in a written statement on 2 September they could “be interpreted as an attack on the campus’ safe space” and expressing his regret over the incidents.
“Student demonstrations are a peaceful movement to monitor the government's work. Anarchy is not in their DNA. Therefore, the academic realm must be protected from repressive actions and infiltration by outside parties,” he said.
He added his ministry was committed to safeguarding universities as safe academic spaces. Campuses must remain free from repressive measures, with dialogue and persuasive approaches prioritised, he said.
Yuliarto said medical and psychological assistance would be provided if needed, and coordination with security forces would be enhanced to protect universities. A ministry team would also liaise with university leaders to assess the impact of recent unrest on students, staff and facilities, he said.
Student rally
The countrywide unrest, which has seen over 1,200 rioters arrested and extensive damage to infrastructure, particularly in the capital Jakarta, began after students held a rally on 28 August in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta to demand a halt to lawmakers’ rising allowances. The rally turned violent when police dispersed demonstrators trying to enter the gate of the parliament building.
The protests escalated into chaos after police fired tear gas, turning nearby roads into smoke-filled zones. As seen on television, a police car suddenly stormed into the crowd of demonstrators and hit a man known to be an ojeg (motorcycle taxi delivery service) driver. As the man fell, the police car ran over him.
The ojeg driver, later named as Affan Kurniawan, was delivering food when he was caught up in the confrontation between students and police. His death, which gained wide public sympathy around the country, added to the intensity of the protests, which then spread to non-student groups.
An angry mob late on Friday 29 August set fire to a local parliament building in Makassar in Sulawesi, trapping several people in the blaze, which left three dead and five others hospitalised. In a separate riot in the city, a man who was thought to be police intelligence disguised as a delivery rider was beaten to death by a mob.
Authorities in Yogyakarta said a university student was killed in Friday’s clashes between rock-throwing demonstrators and riot police.
Thousands of UI students staged a protest at the Jakarta Regional Police headquarters on 29 August in solidarity with the ojeg driver. The same day, the university announced all academic activities would be shifted online till 4 September.
UI emphasised that the scaled-back work arrangements for staff and others were solely to ensure the safety of the academic community amid a perceived risky situation.
A circular signed by UI Rector Heri Hamansyah said: “Practical activities, laboratory usage, and other activities that cannot be conducted online will be rescheduled, taking into account the principles of safety and security.”
Sigit Rochadi, a sociology expert at the National University (Unas), did not believe rioting and alleged looting had been committed by students and workers, who, he said, only wanted their voices to be heard.
“Rioting, looting must have been committed by non-students,” Sigit told University World News on 2 September.
“The demonstration included only two main groups: students and workers. The students demand the passing of the confiscation of corruption wealth bill into law soon and a halt to rises in lawmakers’ lavish allowances,” he added, referring to a proposed law on asset forfeiture, which covers proceeds from corruption.
Student concerns
Students called for the dissolution of the House of Representatives after media reports in late August revealed all 580 lawmakers have been receiving a monthly housing allowance of IDR50 million (US$3,075) since September 2024 in addition to their monthly salaries, which have surged to around IDR120 million (US$7,300) and comprise housing and a string of other generous perks, from honoraria to family and rice allowances, as well as taxes.
These allowances were raised amid mass layoffs in the country, rising taxes and strict austerity measures imposed by the government of President Prabowo Subianto.
The “budget efficiency” measures, as Prabowo dubbed them, include cuts to public works, health and education. Critics said the new allowance is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs and taxes, rising unemployment and weakened purchasing power.
Protests intensified after Ahmad Sahroni, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), asserted: “Those who demand the House be dissolved must be the dumbest people on the planet.”
Sigit, who observed the Jakarta demonstration, said: “While the students are pressing for a halt to House member allowance hikes and immediate passing of the asset forfeiture law, the workers are demanding a 8.5% wage hike and the removal of outsourcing practices” – a reference to a system which places the agents that provide workers to companies, rather than the companies themselves, in the position of employer, with a consequent loss of rights and benefits for workers.
He noted students’ demands were genuine and were made to the House peacefully. “The riot happened after they left the House building.”
During a meeting with the House of Representatives in Jakarta on 2 September, student representatives from the University of Indonesia (UI) and Trisakti University in Jakarta said they had nothing to do with the rioting and looting. “It did not cross our minds to voice our demands through anarchy,” a student spokesperson from Trisakti University said.
Rector of IPB University Professor Arif Satria said in a statement: “We respect the freedom of every citizen to express their opinions and aspirations as guaranteed by the constitution, and we ask the Indonesian House of Representatives and the government to be more sensitive and empathetic to the problems of the people, to prioritise dialogue and deliberation in finding solutions to various national issues, particularly those related to poverty, unemployment, food security, economic inequality, investment certainty, social injustice, agrarian conflicts, and corruption …”.
Authorities detained 1,240 rioters after five days of protests in Jakarta, which caused losses of up to IDR55 billion (US$3.3 million) as rioters burnt buses and subway shelters and damaged other infrastructure, said Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung.
Flanked by leaders of eight Indonesian political parties, Prabowo told a news conference in Jakarta on 31 August the government would cut lawmakers’ perks and privileges, including the controversial housing allowance, and suspend overseas trips for members of parliament.