In a week marked by mounting unrest, Indonesian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds of protesters near two major university campuses in Bandung, intensifying a wave of nationwide demonstrations that has left at least ten people dead and sparked outrage from human rights advocates, student groups, and labor unions alike. The protests—initially triggered by public anger over government spending and the death of a young motorcycle taxi driver struck by a police vehicle—have now ballooned into a broader call for economic and political reform, testing the resolve of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration as it approaches its first anniversary.
The flashpoint came late on September 1, 2025, when security forces sought to disperse demonstrators gathered outside the Islamic University of Bandung (UNISBA) and neighboring Pasundan University, some 140 kilometers from Jakarta. According to student groups and authorities, police fired tear gas canisters from outside the campus gates and used rubber bullets in an attempt to break up crowds, many of whom were non-student protesters seeking shelter within university grounds. Pasundan student Muhammad Ilham recounted, “There was a student who got hit by the rubber bullet, two shots,” as reported by Al Jazeera. Another student, Yoga Tadiyalaga Ruchiyat, said, “We were here as paramedics to help if protesters got injured but the police fired teargas at us.”
For many, the violence on or near university campuses was especially alarming. Indonesian universities have long been regarded as sanctuaries of democracy, playing a pivotal role in the 1998 movement that toppled authoritarian President Suharto. The UNISBA student body accused security forces of seeking to silence dissent, stating that they “brutally attacked” the campus, with tear gas causing breathing problems among students. Raviv Tuanku Alsaid, head of the Islamic Students Union, voiced a sentiment shared by many: “We feel campuses are no longer safe for students ... When military or security officers came into our campuses, then there is no longer a safe zone for us,” he told Reuters.
Authorities, meanwhile, insisted they did not enter the campuses themselves. Police official Hendra Rochmawan said officers aimed to break up crowds of non-student protesters who had sought protection on university property. UNISBA’s rector, Harits Nu’man, confirmed that the campus had been repurposed as a medical hub for the wounded. Yet, the tension between these official accounts and student testimonies only fueled further distrust and anger.
The unrest that erupted in Jakarta in late August quickly spread to other cities, fueled by grievances over government overspending—particularly enhanced perks for lawmakers—and deepening economic inequality. The situation escalated dramatically after an armored police vehicle killed a 21-year-old motorbike taxi driver during a demonstration. In response, thousands of fellow drivers gathered in central Jakarta to honor their fallen colleague and to demand action on economic inequality. “They say to demonstrate the power of peaceful assembly so they can honour their colleague, that they can call for their various demands, including economic inequality and do it peacefully,” reported Jessica Washington of Al Jazeera from the scene.
Since the protests began, at least ten people have died, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. The violence has left a trail of destruction, with city officials in Jakarta reporting $3.4 million in damage. More than 1,200 people have been detained by police, and the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) reported that at least 20 protesters have gone missing in Bandung, Depok, and several districts of the capital. The group’s findings have heightened fears about the safety of demonstrators and the transparency of police operations.
International and domestic human rights organizations have condemned the crackdown, urging thorough investigations into the conduct of security forces. The United Nations rights office called for accusations of rights violations to be investigated, while Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, stated, “The Indonesian authorities acted irresponsibly by treating the protests as acts of treason or terrorism.” Indonesia’s own official human rights body has launched an inquiry, with commissioner Anis Hidayah confirming the investigation to Reuters.
The government has responded with a mix of dialogue and warnings. President Prabowo Subianto, himself a former military leader under Suharto, met with labor unions—some of whom joined the protests to demand a hike in the minimum wage and labor law reforms. According to a statement from his office, Prabowo urged lawmakers to address these concerns. Said Iqbal, head of the Indonesia Trade Union Confederation, said he had conveyed workers’ demands, including “income tax cuts, and an end to cheap labour and outsourcing of jobs.” However, Prabowo also warned that the police and military would “stand firm against violent escalations.”
Analysts see the protests as a major test for Prabowo’s young presidency. Achmad Sukarsono, an associate director at consultancy Control Risks, argued that “the growing gap between the rich and poor in Indonesia provides an easily combustible dry-hay situation. Policies that fail to consider social sensitivities like the perks for parliamentarians then turn into matchsticks.” The protests, he suggested, reflect deeper frustrations with inequality and perceived government indifference.
Civil society groups have also expressed alarm over the arrest of activists, including Delpedro Marhaen, director of the legal aid group Lokataru Foundation, who was detained on accusations of inciting a riot among minors. The foundation has called the arrest unlawful, and rights advocates see it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against dissenters.
As the unrest continues, Indonesians have taken to social media to express solidarity and demand change. Many have changed their profile pictures to pink and green hues, while the hashtag #ResetIndonesia has become a rallying point for reform. Protesters have outlined 25 demands, including an end to police brutality and the assurance of decent wages for the public.
With more demonstrations planned—such as those organized by a coalition of women’s groups outside parliament—the coming weeks will likely determine whether President Prabowo’s government can address the root causes of public anger or if the unrest will escalate further. For now, the streets of Indonesia remain a battleground for the nation’s future, with students, workers, and ordinary citizens demanding that their voices be heard.