President Prabowo and the Sultan of Yogyakarta urge public calm and an end to the violent demonstrations.
Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto and Sultan Hamengku Buwana X have appealed to the public to end the anarchic demonstrations that have occurred recently.
President Prabowo Subianto expressed his deep sympathy for the death of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, during security operations at a demonstration on Thursday evening (August 28, 2025). The Head of State and his entourage visited the funeral home on Friday evening (August 29, 2025) to pay their respects.
Previously, the President had expressed his condolences via social media and expressed his deep sorrow.
“If we find them acting outside of propriety and the applicable regulations, we will take the strongest possible action in accordance with the law,” said President Prabowo.
The Head of State also emphasized that the government will not turn a blind eye to any excessive actions by the authorities, and that law enforcement must be carried out fairly so that the public remains calm and no one feels neglected.
Meanwhile, Zulkifli, the father of the late Affan, completely handed over the legal process to the authorities.
“I ask my online partners to let my child be the only victim. I’ve handed it over to law enforcement; I’ve resigned myself to the matter of my child’s disappearance. I beg my colleagues to prevent what happened to my child. That’s all I can say,” he said, emotionally.
In a separate location, Sultan Hamengku Buwana X met with demonstrators in Yogyakarta and emphasized the importance of conveying aspirations peacefully.
“My brothers and sisters, all residents of Jogja, both students and friends from ojol, and other residents who are here this morning, I, Hamengku Buwono X, need to convey on this occasion that I appreciate what you all do,” he said.
The King of the Ngayogyakarta Palace hopes that there will be no anarchic actions in the Yogyakarta region or elsewhere.
“Why is it that in Yogyakarta, there’s no habit of violence occurring in the process of building democracy?” he said.
