JAKARTA — Indonesia boosted security around parliament in Jakarta and in other major cities on Thursday as students and civilians held rallies marking one year since a wave of anti-government protests swept the country in August 2025, killing ten people and leading to nearly 7,000 arrests, with hundreds later sentenced.
Police Mobilization and Demands
Police mobilized 18,504 personnel in Jakarta alone to secure Thursday's demonstrations, Central Jakarta Police Chief Senior Commissioner Reynold EP Hutagalung said, describing a "layered approach to crowd control" that began rolling out at 7 a.m. and involved senior and supervising officers. Rallies were also held in Yogyakarta and Makassar. Organizers, including the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB), are demanding passage of an asset-forfeiture bill and tougher penalties for corruption, including the death penalty.
Broader participation in Thursday's rallies has centered on calls for harsher punishment of corruption and changes to government policy, according to organizers. The University of Indonesia's Student Executive Board said Wednesday it had not yet decided whether to formally join the Jakarta rally or support it in another form.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago said the government remained committed to "safeguarding public safety and order" and would "work shoulder to shoulder" with police, the military and the public to facilitate what he called conducive rallies. He said authorities were taking appropriate measures to anticipate "rogue parties intent on sowing disorder."
Legacy of the 2025 Unrest
Thursday's rallies come almost exactly a year after protests that began over a proposed increase in lawmakers' allowances escalated into riots in Jakarta and several other cities, fueled in part by rising living costs and mass layoffs. The unrest intensified after a motorcycle taxi driver was killed when a police tactical vehicle ran over him during a crackdown on demonstrators in late August 2025.
President Prabowo Subianto's approval rating had fallen to 38% by August, according to a recent survey. As of Thursday, no clashes, arrests or injuries connected to the current round of rallies had been reported by authorities.
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Reader questions
Frequently asked questions
Why are students and civilians rallying in Indonesia?
Protesters are rallying to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly August 2025 anti-government unrest. They are demanding tougher penalties for corruption, including the death penalty, and the passage of an asset-forfeiture bill.
How did the Indonesian government respond to the planned rallies?
The government boosted security significantly, mobilizing 18,504 police personnel in Jakarta alone. The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs stated they were using a 'layered approach to crowd control' to maintain public safety.
What caused the original August 2025 protests in Indonesia?
The 2025 protests were initially triggered by a proposed increase in lawmakers' allowances but escalated into nationwide riots due to rising living costs, mass layoffs, and the death of a motorcycle taxi driver during a police crackdown.
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