Jakarta — A massive protest on Monday (Aug. 25, 2025) outside the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR/MPR RI) in Senayan, escalated into chaos as thousands of demonstrators clashed with security forces and brought traffic to a standstill in Jakarta.
The rally, which drew crowds of students, online motorcycle taxi drivers, and ordinary citizens, was staged to voice nine major demands against the Prabowo-Gibran government and the parliament.
Among them were calls to “Remove Prabowo-Gibran from office, dissolve the Red-White Cabinet, abolish the Indonesian House of Representatives, reject the Anti-Extortion Bill, and block salary and allowance increases for members of parliament.”
The massive turnout forced road closures around the parliamentary complex. Gatot Subroto Road in the direction of Slipi was shut from 12:15 p.m., with access to the parliament building sealed off and traffic diverted to Jalan Gerbang Pemuda and Bendungan Hilir.
Chief of Traffic Unit at Jakarta City Police, Commissioner Robby Hefados, as reported by Detik said that rerouting measures were put in place from Semanggi toward Slipi.
“Traffic to Slipi is being diverted through Gerbang Pemuda toward Asia Afrika. We redirected vehicles under Ladokgi, and although congestion occurred at diversion points, the public understood after receiving explanations from officers,” he said.
Despite police efforts, congestion rippled across nearby roads, with buses and private vehicles caught in long delays. Only TransJakarta buses were allowed to pass through the restricted lanes under police escort.
From Protest to Clash
Initially peaceful, the demonstration turned violent by early afternoon. Protesters broke through police barricades and damaged concrete barriers near the TransJakarta lane. Some hurled bottles, stones, and even bamboo sticks at security personnel, prompting officers to respond with water cannons.
Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Susatyo Purnomo Condro, who was on the front lines, repeatedly urged restraint. “Please remain orderly, don’t be anarchist, don’t damage state facilities,” he announced via loudspeaker. But the appeal went largely unheeded as parts of the crowd pressed into the inner-city toll road, disrupting traffic further.
By 1:18 p.m., tensions remained high as riot police and military reinforcements were deployed. Tear gas was fired to disperse demonstrators attempting to storm the parliament gates. Some protesters retreated toward Tanah Abang and Slipi, while others regrouped near Senayan Park, reigniting clashes.
According to Kompas, groups of university students arrived around 1:20 p.m. aboard buses and public minibuses, singing protest songs and urging the crowd to march back toward the parliament complex. “Let’s move forward again, let’s take it back!” one student shouted through a megaphone.
The student arrival escalated tensions further. Police and military units quickly reinforced barricades near Senayan Park, but clashes erupted again, forcing nearby motorists into sudden detours.
Protest Demands and Public Discontent
The demonstrators carried nine key demands, including the abolition of parliament, rejection of controversial legislation, and calls for transparency in lawmakers’ salaries and allowances.
The movement gained momentum following public outrage over reports of increased housing allowances for members of parliament, amounting to USD 3,226 per month, after lawmakers no longer received official housing facilities.
The issue sparked widespread criticism, with protesters denouncing the decision as insensitive amid a weakening economy. Although House’s Deputy Speaker Adies Kadir denied that salaries were being raised, saying the change only affected housing allowances, many demonstrators saw it as evidence of parliament’s disconnect from public hardship.
Upcoming Protests
The Aug. 25 protest was not the end of public demonstrations. Labor groups announced they would hold a separate rally on Thursday, Aug. 28, across 38 provinces.
“Thousands of workers will take to the streets in Jakarta and other regions,” Labor Party leader Said Iqbal as reported by Tempo, stressing that the labor movement would raise different issues from Monday’s protest.
Situation Update
As of late afternoon, police confirmed that order was gradually being restored in Senayan, although sporadic clashes persisted in surrounding streets.
Commuters were urged to avoid Gatot Subroto street and surrounding areas until conditions stabilized. Authorities pledged firm action against vandalism and violent acts, while civil society groups vowed to continue pressing their demands in the coming days.
Source: Antara, Detik, Katadata, Kompas, Tempo
Photo Credit: (via RRI/Yusuf Bagus)
