Government Prepares Independent Investigation Team for Riots
By: Indah Prameswari
The government, through the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), is preparing an independent investigation team to thoroughly investigate the causes and actors behind the demonstrations that turned violent on August 25-31, 2025. The widespread demonstrations in Jakarta and several other regions resulted in casualties, damage to public facilities, and raised concerns about national security.
House of Representatives member Rieke Diah Pitaloka confirmed that the process of forming an investigation team is currently underway. The DPR promised to announce the team’s composition and conduct the investigation transparently to the public.
The formation of this investigation team is not merely a formality, but a real commitment to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. This step was taken in response to civil society demands for an investigation into alleged violence during the riots.
President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly emphasized that all student aspirations must be respected, but that anarchic actions and the destruction of public facilities must not be tolerated. In this way, the government is striving to balance protecting citizens’ democratic rights with the obligation to maintain public order.
Strengthening the democratic system is one of the primary objectives of establishing this team. By establishing an independent investigative mechanism, the government wants to ensure that every national incident is handled honestly, openly, and professionally. Going forward, the results of this investigation are expected to provide important lessons for building better security and political governance, thus creating a healthy dialogue between the government, students, and civil society.
On the other hand, support also came from political elites after President Prabowo Subianto stated that there were indications of treason and terrorism behind the anarchic actions.
Several parties emphasized the importance of a clear distinction between the genuine student movement and the infiltrating groups suspected of deliberately creating unrest. The NasDem Party faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) even pushed for the accelerated formation of an independent team so that the alleged treason attempt could be investigated transparently.
NasDem Faction Chairman, Viktor Laiskodat, emphasized that the formation of an independent investigative team is an urgent need to uncover the anarchic incidents without room for speculation or politicization. He stated that the team must be staffed with capable individuals, involving law enforcement officials, independent institutions, and community representatives to ensure strong legitimacy.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant against provocation, hoaxes, and narratives that could potentially divide national unity. Dialogue and deliberation must be prioritized to prevent a repeat of the demonstrations that claimed victims.
NasDem also expressed its full support for President Prabowo in thoroughly investigating the alleged treason behind the wave of demonstrations. The presence of an investigative team is believed to strengthen the government’s commitment to maintaining transparency, accountability, and legal certainty.
Similarly, Military Observer Beni Sukadis assessed that the students’ aspirations during the demonstrations were genuine. However, he saw indications that other groups had infiltrated the demonstrations to exploit the momentum for their own ends. According to him, President Prabowo’s statement regarding the alleged treason was not directed at the students, but rather emphasized that the student movement had been exploited by provocateurs.
Meanwhile, the National Police (Polri) are also conducting parallel investigations into cases of violence that occurred during the demonstrations. One case that has received attention is the death of Amikom Yogyakarta student, Reza Sendi Pratama. The National Police emphasized that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing to uncover the cause and the parties involved.
The announcement of the formation of an independent investigative team was welcomed positively by the public. Student organizations and civil society groups urged the team to work objectively, without political interference or pressure from any party. They emphasized that the truth must be revealed, both regarding the alleged treason and the involvement of provocateurs. Meanwhile, several academics viewed the government’s move as a strategic effort to quell post-demonstration political unrest while maintaining the government’s legitimacy in the public eye.
Furthermore, the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government have committed to involving independent elements, including academics, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing a transparent, accountable, and accountable investigative process for the public.
