Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Presidential Spokesman and State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi urged public officials to avoid arrogance, especially when making policies that could spark public anger. 

His statement comes amid mass protests in Pati, Central Java, against Regent Sudewo’s property tax hike of up to 250 percent.

“As public officials at any level, whether central, provincial, or regency,  we must be careful in communicating policies, especially those that will impact the people,” he told reporters at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday (13/8/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The protests, which drew over 100,000 people, turned violent after Regent Sudewo appeared before the crowd. Demonstrators threw sandals and plastic bottles at him, and a car was set ablaze. 

Police dispersed the rally, arresting 11 alleged provocateurs. Although the regent has revoked the tax hike, many residents continue demanding his resignation.

President Prabowo Subianto is monitoring the situation and calling for restraint from all sides.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)