February 19, 2026 | 11:55 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Fact-Finding Commission has identified indications of possible involvement by members of the Indonesian military in riots that broke out during a demonstration in August 2025.
The findings were disclosed by Muhammad Isnur, director of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), during the launch of the commission’s report at the Indonesia Corruption Watch office in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
“We have found indications at four levels related to TNI members who are suspected of being involved,” Isnur said, referring to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
First, the commission identified indications of alleged incitement involving TNI personnel during the demonstration.
Isnur referred to the alleged involvement of members of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) and other military personnel suspected of encouraging demonstrators. According to the report, this may have contributed to clashes between security forces and protesters.
He said the indications were supported by witness testimonies and visual recordings. Digital evidence collected by the commission reportedly shows direct interaction between uniformed personnel and demonstrators, particularly during the early stages of the unrest.
“However, this evidence still requires further pro justicia investigation to clarify intent, assignment context, and relevant command chains,” Isnur said.
Second, the commission found indications of alleged facilitation or assistance. Isnur cited intelligence information regarding potential threats to public order but said BAIS and TNI personnel allegedly did not take sufficient preventive measures as violence escalated.
He added that further judicial investigation is needed to determine whether these actions were intentional or the result of disrupted command structures.
At the third level, the commission identified indications of negligence, which it said may have contributed to incidents of violence, arson, and looting allegedly carried out by demonstrators.
“The negligence is reflected in the absence of TNI personnel in violence-prone locations despite requests for assistance,” Isnur said.
The fourth level concerns possible breakdowns in command accountability. The commission’s analysis suggests that TNI headquarters and regional military commands maintained effective control over troop deployments and the implementation of military operations other than war in several strategic locations.
However, Isnur stressed that the commission did not find sufficient evidence to conclude institutional involvement by the TNI through formal operations or deliberate illegal orders aimed at inciting unrest during the August 2025 demonstration.
“We do not have strong, direct, and irrefutable evidence demonstrating causality between TNI involvement at the institutional and personnel levels,” he said.
Tempo has contacted TNI spokesperson Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah for comment. As of publication, there had been no response.
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