Indonesia president says some protests 'leaning towards treason'
3 Min Read
Indonesia faces its largest protests in years as President Prabowo condemns unrest over economic inequality and police violence.
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A protester throws a rock at the police during a protest against lavish allowances given to parliament members, outside the parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday addressed the growing wave of protests that have spread across the country in recent days, describing some of the actions as bordering on "treason and terrorism."
Speaking at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Prabowo stated, "The rights to peaceful assembly should be respected and protected. But we cannot deny that there are signs of actions outside the law, even against the law, even leaning towards treason and terrorism."
Mass protests erupted on Monday over widespread frustration with economic inequality, low wages, and what demonstrators view as excessive perks for lawmakers. Anger intensified after a police tactical vehicle fatally struck a young motorcycle delivery driver, Affan Kurniawan, during a rally on Thursday, a moment captured in widely circulated footage.
🇮🇩 This video from Jakarta, Indonesia, shows that the police are enemies of the people.
— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) August 30, 2025
The police are giving the middle finger to the protesting crowd. pic.twitter.com/iuT0jVubIR
The killing further inflamed public outrage. with President Prabowo pledging a formal investigation and offering condolences to the victim’s family. Seven officers involved in the incident have been detained pending investigation. Later, at least three people were killed after protesters set fire to a council building in eastern Indonesia.
🇮🇩 A civilian was shot and severely injured by the police during the protests in Indonesia.
— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) August 30, 2025
While lying on the ground, the police also attacked him with batons. You can see it in the linked video above. pic.twitter.com/82N8YEtCqB
It is worth mentioning that Subianto, on Saturday, also cancelled a planned visit to China as nationwide protests intensified. The president had been scheduled to attend a Victory Day parade in China on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
Violence reaches lawmakers’ homes
Tensions have expanded beyond the streets to the homes of high-profile government officials. In the early hours of Sunday, the residence of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati in South Tangerang was looted in two waves by crowds on motorcycles, according to witnesses and security personnel.
"They looted a television, sound system, living room decorations, clothes, plates, bowls," said resident Damianus Rudolf. The finance minister was not at home during the attack.
Indonesia faces one of its largest and most militant protests in years. And it's not making headlines here.
— Hüseyin Dogru (@hussedogru) August 30, 2025
Students and trade unions demand better education and higher wages. The unrest turned deadly, with one person killed. pic.twitter.com/2M3tkcdcb4
Sri Mulyani, who previously served as a managing director at the World Bank and has held the finance portfolio under three different presidents, is a key figure in Prabowo’s administration. Soldiers were deployed to secure her residence as trucks carried out damaged belongings later in the day.
The violence has spread to other politicians. Protesters stormed the home of Ahmad Sahroni, a NasDem party lawmaker and member of Prabowo’s ruling coalition, damaging property and vehicles. The residences of NasDem politician Nafa Urbach and lawmaker Eko Hendro Purnomo were also attacked, according to local media and state news agency Antara.
