Indonesia Faces Escalating Unrest: 20 Missing Amid Protests, Military Deployed
Jakarta, Indonesia – Widespread protests across Indonesia, initially sparked by public outrage over generous perks for lawmakers, have intensified, leading to at least 20 people reported missing, according to the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS). The demonstrations, which began last week, have evolved into broader expressions of anger against police conduct, prompting significant unrest nationwide.
KontraS reported on September 1 that 23 individuals were initially listed as missing, with 20 still unaccounted for after verification. These cases were noted in Bandung, Depok, and various administrative regions of Jakarta, with one incident at an unspecified location. The protests, which have claimed at least six lives, escalated after a paramilitary police unit fatally shot a young delivery driver uninvolved in the clashes, fueling public fury.
In response to the mounting tensions, the military has been deployed in Jakarta, where authorities have established checkpoints, conducted joint police-army patrols, and positioned snipers at key locations. The capital has seen reduced traffic as schools, universities, and civil offices shifted to remote operations through at least Tuesday. Protests have spread to cities like Bandung, Gorontalo, Palembang, Banjarmasin, Yogyakarta, and Makassar, with violent incidents including Molotov cocktails and firecrackers thrown at a council building in Bandung.
The unrest has forced President Prabowo Subianto into a rare policy reversal, scrapping the controversial lawmakers’ perks that triggered the initial demonstrations. This marks a significant challenge to his leadership since taking office in October 2024. The United Nations has called for an investigation into allegations of excessive force by security personnel, highlighting concerns over the handling of the protests.
As clashes continue across the nation, the situation remains volatile, with rights groups and international observers closely monitoring developments. The government’s response to these grievances will likely shape the trajectory of Indonesia’s stability in the coming weeks.