August 31, 2025 | 05:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said there were signs of unlawful actions, even those leading toward "treason and terrorism," during the week-long demonstrations that have been erupting across Indonesia.
Despite this, Prabowo maintained that the government respects the freedom of expression as stated in the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights article 19 and Freedom of Expression Law No. 9 of 1998.
Pure aspirations must be respected, he said.
"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 toward treason and terrorism," said Prabowo in his statement accompanied by political party leaders at the Presidential Palace on August 31, 2025.
The head of state warned that acting "anarchist," damaging public facilities, causing casualties, threatening and looting homes and public agencies as well as private residences will be prosecuted.
"It constitutes a breach of the law, and the state is obliged to be present and protect its people," he said. "The officers on duty must protect the people and public facilities built with the people's money."
Prabowo has ordered the police and military to crack down on the perpetrators of public facility destruction, house looting, and attacks on economic centers, in accordance with the applicable law.
"To all Indonesian citizens, please deliver pure aspirations peacefully. We assure you that it will be heard and noted, and we will follow up on them," he said.
Prabowo Gathers Party Heads at Palace
Today, President Prabowo gathered all party heads in the House of Representatives at the Merdeka Palace, including the heads of legislative institutions.
Those present included the Speaker of the House Puan Maharani, the Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, and the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani.
Meanwhile, the party head include the chair of Golkar Party Bahlil Lahadalia; the Chair of the Democratic Party Faction Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono; the Chair of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan; the Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri; the Chair of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh; the Chair of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar; and the Secretary-General of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Muhammad Kholid.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesian President Prabowo Gathers Political Party Elites Amid Massive Protests
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