Indonesia’s Unrest: A Test for President Prabowo’s Leadership

Situation Overview

Just one week after the celebration Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day, protests erupted across Indonesia. On Monday, August 25, thousands of protesters, including students, workers and various activists, gathered outside the DPR building to oppose the monthly allowance for parliament members (50 million rupiahs, over $3,000), which is nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta. The unrest was further fuelled by widespread public dissatisfaction with policies such as tax increases, budget cuts and rising living costs, as well as limited availability (and spiking prices) of rice, cooking oil and fuel. The protest turned chaotic when riot police responded with tear gas, water cannon and deployed more than 1,000 crowd-control personnel.

Then, the demonstration resumed on Thursday, August 28, and escalated very quickly after a fatal incident in which a gojek driver was struck and killed by a Brimob (tactical police) armed tank in Jakarta. This tragedy sparked public outrage and triggered larger protests the following day, Friday, August 29. Student organizations demanded that the police be held accountable for the incident. However, the official responses from President Prabowo Subianto, DPR Chairwoman Puan Maharani, and the Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo,  failed to deescalate as their statements were perceived as a routine and did not directly address the protesters’ demands.

As tensions deepened, violence broke out around the country. Several police compounds and posts were attacked, while cars and bus shelters were set on fire. The unrest continued into Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31, morning, when crowds began targeting the homes of politicians, including Ahmad Sahroni, Uya Kuya, and Eko Patrio, and eventually stormed the residence of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. 

After an emergency meeting with political party leaders on Sunday afternoon, President Prabowo announced DPR’s decision to revoke DPR allowances and to impose all overseas travel ban. He urged the DPR, DPRD, and cabinet leaders to engage directly with labor and student representatives. The state reaffirmed its commitment to free expression, while stressing that looting, vandalism, and damage to economic centres are criminal acts that will be met with firm consequences. Citizens were urged not to be provoked by groups seeking to destabilize Indonesia.

What is really happening

Nearly one year into President Prabowo’s administration, Indonesia is experiencing its largest demonstration yet – reflecting deep public frustration with the government. The protests have gone on for the past six month but now have spread widely across cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Lampung. The movement began in Pati, Central Java, and several other cities in early August, sparked by public anger over regional housing tax increases following budget cuts from central government.

Furthermore, the unrest is rooted in discontent with inconsistent policies, rising unemployment, inflation, and frustration over lawmakers perceived as insensitive for flaunting lavish lifestyles. Instead of directly addressing these issues, The President has frequently cited “foreign actors” and “political enemies” as the cause, a stance viewed by many as a disconnect from reality.

Some observers believe provocateurs may have worsened the situation by initiating violence. At the same time, the government has appeared more focused on controlling social media and censoring news coverage rather than addressing the root causes. On Wednesday, August 27, Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Angga Raka, reportedly urged some social media providers to restrict protest-related content. TikTok Live is also temporarily suspended, further fuelling public distrust.

On Sunday morning, President Prabowo has now announced the cancellation of his planned trip to China. Other senior officials, including the Head of National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, have also cancelled his trip to his upcoming visit to Washington DC; Luhut was planning to meet with the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. If the tension occurs, State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi mentioned the President may reconsider his plan to attend the UNGA in New York. 

This moment is widely seen as a test of President Prabowo’s ability to both manage the crisis and uphold Indonesia’s democratic framework. With his ambition aiming for 8% economic growth, the August protests risk undermining industry confidence and deterring foreign investors.

Safety Concerns

The Governor of Jakarta has recommended that companies implement work-from-home arrangements in light of the unrest. Several areas in Jakarta are currently categorized as high-risk zones due to escalating demonstration:

*as of August 31, 2025, resources: SROC G4S

The US Embassy has also issued a demonstration alert, advising the U.S. citizens to exercise caution and to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive the latest security updates.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the government can restore calm while addressing the root causes of public dissatisfaction. How the administration manages this crisis will not only share domestic political dynamics but also influence investor confidence and Indonesia’s standing on the global stage.

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