Indonesian Police Officer Fired Over Protester Death

The Indonesian National Police have dismissed an officer after a protester was killed during a wave of anti-government demonstrations that erupted across the country in late August 2025. The protests, initially sparked by public outrage over new parliamentary benefits announced on August 15, quickly escalated into a broader movement against rising living costs, unemployment, and perceived government corruption. The situation intensified after a widely circulated video showed a police armored vehicle fatally crushing a motorcycle delivery driver, fueling anger and expanding the protests to nearly 50 cities.

Authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown, detaining over 3,000 people and deploying riot police who used tear gas and other crowd-control measures. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the excessive use of force, reporting at least 10 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and dozens of missing persons. "Indonesian authorities should not respond to protests over government policies by using excessive force and wrongfully locking up demonstrators," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. The police chief, General Listyo Sigit, publicly apologized for the incident and announced the arrest of seven officers for violating the police code of ethics, with one officer being dismissed in connection to the protester’s death.

Mounting Criticism and Broader Crackdown

The police response has drawn sharp criticism from both domestic and international observers. Amnesty International and other civil society groups have called for independent investigations into police violence, particularly in regions with histories of unrest such as Papua and West Papua. Reports indicate that protests in these areas were met with especially harsh crackdowns, including arbitrary arrests and intimidation, exacerbating longstanding grievances over political repression and human rights abuses. Pacific civil society organizations have highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in West Papua, where over 100,000 people are now internally displaced due to ongoing conflict between Indonesian security forces and separatist groups.

The Indonesian government, led by President Prabowo Subianto, has attempted to frame the protests as being manipulated by outside agitators and has downplayed allegations of systemic police brutality. Official statements have emphasized the need for order and stability, yet independent media and rights groups have documented numerous instances of excessive force, including the use of tear gas in university campuses and fatal beatings of protesters. Analysts note that the government’s narrative often employs classic propaganda tactics, such as blaming unrest on foreign influence and portraying dissent as a threat to national unity, while minimizing or denying credible reports of abuse.

Calls for Accountability and Reform

The dismissal of the police officer, while a rare act of accountability, is seen by many as insufficient in addressing the broader culture of impunity within Indonesia’s security forces. Critics argue that without systemic reforms and transparent investigations, such disciplinary actions are largely symbolic. The Prabowo administration has been accused of perpetuating a pattern of impunity for security forces, with little progress on longstanding human rights concerns. "Relying solely on the security forces will only create an unproductive cycle of violence and police brutality," warned a recent editorial from a leading Indonesian university, calling for dialogue and genuine reform.

International attention remains focused on Indonesia as civil society groups, regional leaders, and human rights monitors urge the government to respect the right to peaceful protest and ensure accountability for abuses. The United Nations and Pacific Island Forum leaders have reiterated calls for independent investigations and unimpeded humanitarian access, particularly in conflict-affected regions. As the country grapples with ongoing unrest, the government faces mounting pressure to balance security with the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.