THE CRISIS OF DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA ESCALATION OF STUDENT AND COMMUNITY PROTEST AGAINST THE PERFORMANCE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

Written by Academic Activities Officer of ALSA LC Unsri 2024-2025

What is Happening?

On August 20, 2025, Parliament confirmed the allocation of a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah for its members until the 2029 term.

This decision provoked widespread criticism and ignited waves of protest from students and civil society, which culminated in mass demonstrations across the country.

Series of demonstrations by students

• August 25, 2025

Demonstrations were carried out by students, traders, online motorcycle taxi drivers, and university communities.

• August 27, 2025

A further demonstration took place involving workers from various labor unions in front of the House of Representatives building, primarily raising demands related to employment issues

• August 29, 2025

Online motorcycle taxi drivers staged a protest at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Kwitang. At this point, the demonstrations no longer centered on the House of Representatives building.

The Course of Demonstrations

On August 25, 2025, diverse groups of society gathered in front of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

The protests were fueled by public discontent over unreasonable allowances and the increasing number of council members implicated in misconduct, particularly at a time when Indonesia’s economic and social conditions continue to deteriorate. The situation was further aggravated by a council member who deeply offended the Indonesian people with his public statements.

The Protesters’ Ordeal

Protesters were met with repressive actions, including abductions, which tragically led to the incident involving an online motorcycle driver, Affan Kurniawan.

In addition, many victims were subjected to excessive force, including the use of tear gas and high-pressure water cannons by security officers.

Affan was Not the Only Victim!

According to data from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), on August 25, a total of 351 individuals were arbitrarily arrested, including 196 children. By August 30, 2025, several public facilities in multiple cities had also been affected.

The Legitimacy of Society to Speak Out

Article 28 E Paragraph 3 of the Constitution

“Every person shall have the right to freedom of association, assembly, and expression.”

Article 19 ICCPR

(1) Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

(2) Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include

the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.

Feedback from us!

1. Ensure strict accountability measures against any officials who engage in repressive actions toward civilians or commit violations of institutional codes of ethics and applicable laws

2. Conduct a comprehensive review of the housing allowance policy for members of the House of Representatives, ensuring that such provisions are aligned with principles of rationality, proportionality, and public interest.

3. Guarantee restitution, rehabilitation, and adequate safeguards for all individuals who suffered harm as a result of the demonstrations, thereby upholding their rights and restoring public trust.

We extend our deepest sympathy and solidarity to all victims affected by these incidents.

Sources :

• Farida, E. (2021). The Indonesian State's Obligations to Fulfill the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression. Qistie , 14 (2), 39-52.

• Tempo. (2025). Affan Kurniawan: Pejuang Keluarga yang Tewas Dilindas Mobil Brimob. https://www.tempo.co/politik/profil-affan-kurniawan-pengemudi-ojek-2064887. Accessed on August 30 2025.

• Federasi Kontras, (2025). Gugurnya Affan Kurniawan: Kejahatan Negara Yang Mengancam Demokrasi dan HAM. https://kontras.or.id/siaran-pers/gugurnya-affan-kurniawan-kejahatan-negara-yang-mengancam-demokrasi-dan-ham/. Accessed on August 30, 2025.

• The Coversation,(2025). Gaji dan tunjangan anggota DPR lebih Rp100 juta per bulan: Perilaku elitis yang memicu skeptis publik. https://theconversation.com/gaji-dan-tunjangan-anggota-dpr-lebih-rp100-juta-per-bulan-perilaku-elitis-yang-memicu-skeptis-publik-264038. Accessed on August 30, 2025.

• Novina Putri Bestari, (2025). Kronologi Demo 25-29 Agustus: Demo DPR Melebar Jadi Amarah ke Polisi.CNBC Indonesia. Kronologi Demo 25-29 Agustus: Demo DPR Melebar Jadi Amarah ke Polisi. Accessed on 30 August, 2025.