Protests in Indonesia Lead to Missing persons Reports and Government Response
Recent protests in Indonesia have resulted in 20 people remaining unaccounted for, according to a report from the human rights group KontraS, as of September 1st. The group initially received 23 reports of missing persons, but after verification, 20 remain unfound. These individuals were reported missing in Bandung, Depok, and the administrative cities of Central jakarta, East Jakarta, and North Jakarta, with one case reported from an “unknown location.”
The protests, sparked by concerns over potential election fraud and rising living costs, have seen demonstrations in multiple cities across the archipelago. On Monday, hundreds gathered outside parliament in Jakarta, prompting increased security measures including police checkpoints, city patrols conducted by police and the military, and the deployment of snipers in key locations. Schools and universities in Jakarta shifted to online learning, and civil servants were advised to work from home, at least until Tuesday.
President Prabowo Subianto responded to reports of burning and looting – including attacks on the homes of politicians and state buildings, such as that owned by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati – by ordering firm action from the military and police. Clashes were reported in several locations beyond Jakarta,including Gorontalo city on Sulawesi island,were police used teargas and water cannon,and Bandung on Java,where protesters threw molotov cocktails and firecrackers at the provincial council building. Meaningful rallies also took place in Palembang (Sumatra), Banjarmasin (Borneo), Yogyakarta (Java), and Makassar (Sulawesi).
The protests have also drawn international attention. The United Nations has called for an examination into the alleged use of disproportionate force by security personnel, emphasizing the need for compliance with international standards regarding the use of force and firearms.
An investigation into the death of a protester, identified as Kurniawan, is underway. Seven officers have been detained in connection with the incident, and preliminary findings suggest criminal acts were committed by two officers – the driver of a van and an officer seated beside him – who could face dishonourable discharge. President Prabowo has pledged to investigate Kurniawan’s death and support his family.
In a rare concession, Prabowo announced on Sunday that political parties had agreed to reduce some lawmakers’ benefits, specifically a housing allowance of 50m rupiah ($3,075), which had drawn public criticism for being substantially higher than Jakarta’s minimum wage. However, Prabowo also cautioned against “anarchic” demonstrations that endanger lives or damage property, stating such actions constitute a serious violation of the law.
