September 19, 2025 | 12:58 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Human Rights regards the hunger strike carried out by Gejayan Memanggil (Gejayan Calling) activist Syahdan Husein as part of his freedom of expression. The activist has been on a hunger strike since September 11, to protest his detention over alleged incitement during late August protests.
"As long as it is done peacefully, we respect it. It is a form of freedom of expression," said the Director General of Services and Compliance at the ministry, Munafrizal, at the Jakarta Metro Police, Thursday, August 18, 2025.
Syahdan Husein's sister, Sizigia Pikhansa, mentioned that her brother has refused to eat in detention since September 11. "So, today marks a week since then," she said when met at the Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Syahdan went on a hunger strike to protest his and several other activists' arrest by the police. "He said he would continue the hunger strike until all political detainees are released," said Sizigia.
Syahdan was reportedly arrested by the police in Bali on September 1, 2025. He and five others were named as suspects for alleged incitement during demonstrations on August 25 and 28, 2025.
One of the social media posts used as evidence by the police belonged to the @lokataru_foundation account, which displayed information about a complaint center for students who wanted to participate in the August 28 protest.
The caption read: “Are you a student? Want to protest? Already protested? Threatened with sanctions? Or have you been sanctioned? Let's fight together! #dontbeafraid” — along with a hotline number for students to report sanctions.
The six suspects are charged with violating Article 160 of the Criminal Code on incitement, Article 45A(3) in conjunction with Article 28(3) of Law No. 1/2024 on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE Law), and Article 76H in conjunction with Article 15 and Article 87 of Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection.
Nabiila Azzahra contributed to the writing of this article.
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