YLBHI Calls for Police Chief’s Removal Following Deadly Crackdowns on Protests
Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has issued a strongly worded statement demanding the resignation or dismissal of National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, citing a pattern of excessive force and a failure to reform the police institution. The demand comes after a recent crackdown on protests on August 28, 2025, during which a police Brimob tactical vehicle reportedly ran over and killed an online motorcycle taxi driver.YLBHI attributes the protests to “reckless policies” enacted by the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government. The institution condemns the authorities’ response as brutal, detailing the use of tear gas and, critically, the fatal incident involving the Brimob vehicle.
This incident is not isolated, according to YLBHI. Between July 2024 and June 2025, the organization documented 55 civilian deaths linked to police violence, broken down as follows: 10 deaths attributed to torture, 37 to extrajudicial killings, and 8 resulting from wrongful arrests. These deaths include minors, specifically citing the cases of Gamma in Semarang, Central Java, and Afif Maulana in Padang, West Sumatra.
YLBHI asserts that the National Police fosters a “repressive, barbaric, and anti-democratic” culture, and that public criticism of police performance has been largely ignored. The organization highlighted the irony of citizens being killed by state agents utilizing equipment funded by taxpayer money.
Beyond the call for Prabowo’s removal, YLBHI is demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the police institution to prioritize professionalism, accountability, and democratic principles. They are also calling for full accountability for the police chief and the president in prosecuting officers and commanders responsible for the violence, going beyond internal disciplinary measures.
Specifically, YLBHI’s demands include:
The immediate release of all detained demonstrators nationwide.
A presidential order to the National Police to cease repressive practices against protestors.
The establishment of an autonomous investigation team into the August 28th crackdown.
A comprehensive reform of the police institution.
Disciplinary action against DPR members accused of fueling public anger, naming Ahmad Sahroni, Eko Hendro Purnomo, Adies Kadir, Deddy Sitorus, Nafa Urbach, Surya Utama, Rahayu Saraswati, and Sigit Purnomo Syamsuddin Said.
The fulfillment of protestors’ demands, including addressing the jobs crisis, scrapping the Criminal Procedure Code bill (R-KUHAP), halting environmentally destructive national projects, advancing the Asset Confiscation Bill with public participation, and ensuring fair taxation.
A strict separation of the military from civilian affairs.
An investigation by Komnas HAM into alleged human rights violations, including the death of the motorcycle driver, and monitoring of government control over social media during protests.
* The dissolution of the Ministry of human Rights, which YLBHI believes has failed to prevent state-sponsored rights violations.
YLBHI concludes that the current situation represents a dangerous trajectory for Indonesian democracy, warning that without significant change, the country risks descending into “a tyranny in new packaging.”
