inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Following the August 2025 demonstrations , legal proceedings against the rioters continued. The Jakarta Regional Metropolitan Police have named 16 people as suspects in the riots, including the destruction of public facilities. They are suspected of vandalizing public facilities in four different locations in Jakarta.
Jakarta Regional Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri stated that this action was taken in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's directives. The President instructed firm action to be taken against any provocateurs in the protest who intend to cause trouble during peaceful demonstrations.
"We are doing this in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to the Chief of Police to take firm action against the perpetrators of anarchistic actions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Following the directives, we can announce that we have arrested 16 suspects," said Inspector General Asep to the media crew, Monday (9/15/2025).
Dozens of suspects were arrested for allegedly damaging several public facilities, including Arborea Coffee at the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education's TransJakarta Bus Stop, the DPR/MPR Building, and the Jakarta Regional Metropolitan Police TransJakarta Bus Stop.
Asep emphasized that the suspects who were arrested were perpetrators of vandalism of public facilities and not participants in the demonstration who were peacefully expressing their aspirations.
"All the suspects we have arrested are the perpetrators of the arson and vandalism, not the demonstrators or protesters. Once again, I emphasize that we are arresting the perpetrators of the vandalism and arson, not the demonstrators or visitors," he stressed.
Asep added that the police are committed to providing space for protesters to express their opinions, but will take firm action against rioters who disrupt public order. To that end, the police have issued five reports and secured 53 pieces of evidence, including Molotov cocktails, rocks, and looted items such as water dispensers.
"In other words, we didn't apprehend demonstrators, but rioters who came to disrupt and disturb the order by burning and destroying public facilities," he concluded.
(ad/inp/pr/rs)
