Government Prepares Independent Investigation Team to Uphold Transparency in Handling Demonstrations
JAKARTA – The government has pledged firm action in addressing the fatalities that occurred during the wave of demonstrations taking place since late August 2025. President Prabowo Subianto stated that he is open to the proposal of forming an independent investigation team to probe the death of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver who was fatally struck by a Mobile Brigade tactical vehicle, along with several other victims.
“Reasonable and worth discussing,” said President Prabowo in response to demands from students and civil society groups stressing the importance of an independent investigation with a clear and transparent mandate.
On the occasion, Prabowo emphasized that the freedom of expression must remain guaranteed. However, he reminded the public that protests should be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
“There must be no criminalization of demonstrators, but the actions must be peaceful. Officers will also make distinctions accordingly,” he stated.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said that an internal investigation is also underway, including the death of Reza Sendi Pratama, a student from Amikom Yogyakarta.
“Currently, a thorough investigation is being conducted into the exact cause of death,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chair of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Riezal Ilham Pratama stressed that forming an investigation committee is imperative to uncover the reasons behind the casualties.
“Our deepest condolences go to the eleven demonstrators who lost their lives. This is too high a price to pay for voicing aspirations. The government must listen to their demands,” said Riezal.
PKB firmly rejects any form of violence in crowd control and has called for comprehensive reform to ensure law enforcement adopts a more humane approach in the future.
“Innocent victims who did not commit any legal violations must be released immediately, while injured victims must have full access to healthcare services,” he added.
At the same time, the House of Representatives (DPR) has also responded by initiating the formation of an independent investigation team. Legislator Rieke Diah Pitaloka said that the process of establishing the team is currently underway and will be announced publicly.
“The investigation team is being formed. The process is ongoing and will be transparent to the public,” she said.
The formation of an independent investigation team marks an important step to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing cases of violence during demonstrations. The public now awaits the team’s findings, with hopes for objective results that deliver justice to the victims while also serving as a momentum for reform in the governance of mass protest management in Indonesia.
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