State Violence: The Reflection of Government's Failure to Address Indonesia's Economic-Political Crisis! Statement from Beranda Migran
Beranda Migran strongly condemns the practices of repression, violence, brutality, and the excessive use of force by authorities in response to the aspirations and anger of the people. The people's resistance is the culmination of frustration and despair caused by the Indonesian government's neoliberal policies, which have failed to address the real political and economic crisis, worsening the conditions of the Indonesian people.
The approach of budget efficiency, militarism, and manipulation of economic growth data is adopted to facilitate foreign investment and boost national development. Indonesia's economic and political policies are not oriented towards the welfare of the people; instead, they lead to the confiscation of various rights of the people. The efficiency policy has become a new tool for exploiting the people. The government recklessly cuts budgets, subsidies, and social services under the pretext of state budget savings amid an economic crisis and high national debt. Instead of providing a safety net for the people, the government uses various methods to get every penny from citizens through high taxes at both national and local levels, and other ways. Meanwhile, budget allocations are directed towards strengthening the defense and repressive apparatus. Projects like Danantara, Free Nutritious Meals, and Red and White Cooperatives are used as reserve funds and investment guarantees, clearly favoring elites and oligarchs over the people.
Amidst waves of layoffs, the collapse of the job market, and increasingly unaffordable living costs, the people are forced to witness the arrogance of the elite. Recently, the parliament even raised housing allowances to nearly ten times the minimum wage, while over 150 million Indonesians earn below the regional minimum wage. Subsidies for the people are cut down, while funds continue to be poured into officials, the military, and the repressive apparatus.
The insensitivity of Indonesian officials has become a catalyst for the people's anger, who have been living in crisis for years. While millions are losing their jobs, basic necessities’ prices are skyrocketing, and many Indonesians are trapped in human trafficking by forced scamming labor schemes to Cambodia and Myanmar, the state continues to treat people as commodities by promoting the mass dispatch of migrant workers to support the country's finances. The people's anger today is the culmination of deep disappointment in the authorities, not only concerning economic issues but also due to a political legitimacy crisis exacerbated by the arrogance of public officials who view the people as a burden. As teachers, workers, farmers, and students continue to demand their basic rights, political elites are busy enriching themselves and sheltering behind barricades of armed forces. Instead of protecting its citizens, the authorities are laughing at the people's suffering. Statements from politicians calling teachers' salaries a burden on the state are just one example of their arrogance.The crises that have accumulated over the years can no longer be suppressed. Various anti-people policies, rising prices of basic necessities, subsidy cuts, the collapse of the labor market, inflation, and the health and education crisis exacerbated by manipulated economic data and the government's denial of the realities faced by the people have lightened the people's anger. The government's response to people's protests has taken the form of arrogance, mockery, neglect, and various repressive actions. The people who voice their grievances through various actions and demonstrations are met with intimidation, criminalization, and violence.
The law enforcement apparatus has acted as an instrument of power to intimidate the people rather than protect and serve them. The creation of a climate of fear generates social trauma and provokes conflict among citizens. Demonstrators and activists frequently face arrest and brutal violence. Digital attacks are also employed as tools by the state to suppress the people's movements. Various forms of doxing, the use of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), restrictions on access to the internet and electricity, and attacks and provocations by online buzzers. All forms of violence, whether neglected or deliberately perpetrated by the state, demonstrate how the government uses terror as a tool to protect elite interests and suppress any resistance from the people through horizontal conflict and a climate of fear.
The state's repressive habit has once again become the face of government today. More than 700 people were arbitrarily arrested at various locations, with 206 taken to the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters, 195 arrested in Cengkareng near a traffic light, whose whereabouts remain unclear, 63 taken to the Depok Police Station, 60 arrested in Bogor, particularly around the station, and 200 detained at the Bogor Police Station. This violence and arbitrary arrest clearly extend to many locations across Indonesia, making the overall national count of victims significantly larger and difficult to estimate or be assisted by lawyers/ advocates. Authorities also target journalists, with several reporters on assignment becoming victims of violence. A journalist from Antara News was beaten by officers while covering a protest in front of the parliament on August 25; while in Medan, four journalists were blocked, had their equipment confiscated, and some experienced physical violence. This tactic should clearly be viewed as an effort by the police, as part of the government, to stifle the dissemination of information through intimidation practices against journalistic work.
The series of protests taken by the people in the past few days demonstrates how widespread this injustice has become. On August 25, 2025, the people surrounded the Indonesian parliament to protest against the salary and allowances for parliament members, which amount to nearly Rp100 million per month, accompanied by arrogant remarks that demean the people. On August 28, 2025, labor and citizen protests faced brutal repression, resulting in fatalities. In confronting the people's demonstration on August 28, law enforcement carried out brutal violence that not only caused injuries but also resulted in deaths. The death of Affan, who was run over by a tactical vehicle from the Brimob police, clearly illustrates the logic of state violence. Not only Affan, as of now, nine deaths have been recorded due to violence during the demonstrations. On August 29, 2025, protests spread to Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Makassar, while the authorities became increasingly brutal with mass arrests. On August 30, 2025, the people took to the streets again in Jakarta, surrounding Brimob headquarters, the parliament, and police stations at various hotspots, showing that this wave of anger can no longer be concealed.This is the true face of the state today, redirecting budgets to protect elite interests while using violence against the people who demand a decent life. This state violence is not a new phenomenon; it is a continuation of a long history of fascism and impunity for authorities in Indonesia. Over time, the state has turned the bodies of the people into targets for bullets, tear gas, and tactical vehicles to maintain the status quo. Ironically, the government attempts to cover up these facts of violence by banning news coverage of the protests, claiming it is to maintain 'stability.' What actually occurs is the silencing of democracy, the obscuring of truth, and the legalization of violence by authorities.
The government's statements in response to this situation do not address the root of the problem at all. The promise to evaluate law enforcement is merely a formality, while the underlying issues of rising taxes, subsidies cut, and bad budget allocations remain unaddressed. Rhetoric that blames the people and accuses foreign intervention only makes the situation worse, increasing the distrust and creating the notion that the state prefers to serve political elites, foreign investors, and oligarchs rather than its own citizens.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families of Affan Kurniawan (Jakarta), Sari Nawati (Makassar), Saiful Akbar (Makassar), M. Akbar Basri (Makassar), Rusma Diansaah (Makassar), Sumari (Solo), Rheza Sendy Pratama (Yogyakarta), Andika Lutfi Falah (Jakarta), Iko Juliarto Junior (Semarang), Septinus Sesa (Manokwari), and all other victims of the state's brutal repression. However, we refuse to stop at mere condolences. Affan and the other victims are symbols of the structural injustice in this country, victims of a state that prefers to serve political elites, foreign investors, and oligarchs rather than its own people.
Beranda Migran emphasizes that the struggle of migrant workers cannot be separated from the people’s struggle in Indonesia. We stand in solidarity with workers, students, farmers, fishermen, and all Indonesians who today are fighting against injustices and state violence.
Beranda Migran demands that the state stop repression and brutal violence against the people, free all protest detainees, ensure accountability for the murder of Affan Kurniawan and other victims, and immediately reform the economic and political system that has led to the crisis and poverty of the people. There can be no true democracy if the people continue to be silenced with tear gas, handcuffs, and military vehicles.
As long as the state continues to exploit the people and serve the elites, the people will continue to resist.