SETARA Institute praises Indonesian Police for managing protests

Hendardi, Chairman of the SETARA Institute, has expressed appreciation for the Indonesian National Police regarding their handling of recent public demonstrations, including those on August 27, 2026. He noted that the police performance has been relatively better compared to the handling of protests in late August of the previous year, which resulted in casualties among both citizens and officers.

Despite this praise, Hendardi urged the police to maintain a professional and proportional approach that respects constitutional rights. He specifically called for strict action against mass organizations or specific groups that engage in violence, intimidation, or the obstruction of demonstrators.

He emphasized that law enforcement must not allow non-state actors to use mass force to control public spaces or implement “street mechanisms” against citizens exercising their rights. Furthermore, he demanded a serious investigation into the involvement of certain organizations in managing protests to determine if such involvement is organized, including identifying who directs, orders, and finances these groups.