September 4, 2025 | 07:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dudung Abdurrahman, the Presidential Special Advisor for National Defense and former Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, believes that declaring martial law is not yet an appropriate response to the current situation in Indonesia. According to him, there are several requirements for martial law to be imposed.
"It's still far off. We can't impose a martial law all of a sudden," he said at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Dudung has not heard President Prabowo Subianto proposing to declare martial law to confront the current situation. The implementation of martial law should start from civil order, civil emergency, then martial law.
Even if martial law is chosen, it must obtain parliamentary approval.
Dudung said the current military presence on the ground does not signify the onset of martial law, as it's merely anticipatory.
Since August 25, 2025, demonstrations in Jakarta and various other regions in the country have continued. The public demands the cancellation of the raise in lawmakers' allowance, which is deemed inappropriate considering the current economic hardships faced by the people.
The protests escalated when a tactical vehicle of the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) ran over a motorcycle taxi driver named Affan Kurniawan on Thursday, August 28, 2025. As of now, based on Tempo's records, there are 10 casualties in the demonstrations that have taken place in various cities until early September.
Additionally, looting of the houses of several DPR members and the house of Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani took place amid the demonstrations. Public facilities were also vandalized.
In response, President Prabowo Subianto believes that there are certain groups attempting treason. On September 1, Prabowo stated that the burning of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building in South Sulawesi, which claimed the lives of four civil servants (ASN), is an act of treason.
Prabowo made the statement while visiting police officers being treated for injuries from the demonstrations at the Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, Jakarta, on September 1, 2025. "Remember! In South Sulawesi, four innocent and politically uninvolved civil servants became victims. The DPRD building was burned, this is an act of treason, not an expression of aspirations," said Prabowo.
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the wiriting of this article
Editor’s Choice: Prabowo Summons BIN Chief to Presidential Palace Amid Protests
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Gathers Several Ministers at Presidential Palace After China Visit
38 menit lalu
Prabowo gathers a number of Red and White Cabinet ministers after visiting Beijing, China.
OJK Urges State, Private Sectors to Expand Riot Insurance Ahead of Escalating Protests
1 jam lalu
OJK emphasizes the importance of riot and civil commotion insurance for asset protection from the risk of damage due to mass actions.
What's Next for Activists If the 17+8 People's Demands Go Unmet by the Deadline?
1 jam lalu
An activist said the September 5 deadline was set as a benchmark to gauge the government's seriousness in addressing the 17+8 People's Demands.
Jakarta Workers Stage Long March to Protest Unjust Policies, Repressive Actions
1 jam lalu
Gebrak Alliance raises five main demands in this long march rally.
BEM SI Demands Prabowo to Revoke 'Treason' Label on Student Protests
2 jam lalu
BEM SI demanded that President Prabowo Subianto revoke the treason label against the student protests.
Indonesian Fact-Checkers Urge People to Look Out for Protest-Related Disinformation
3 jam lalu
Koalisi Cek Fakta (Fact-Checking Coalition) has found many unverified information amid the wave of protests in Indonesia.
UI Prohibits Graduates from Carrying Posters, Banners at Graduation Ceremony
3 jam lalu
UI, via its official Instagram, banned graduates from bringing banners or posters and from adding writing or decorations to robes, caps, or clothing.
Prabowo, Xi Jinping Discuss Indonesia's Giant Sea Wall Project in Meeting
3 jam lalu
Prabowo met with Xi Jinping after attending the 80th anniversary celebration of China's victory in the People's War.
Prabowo Summons BIN Chief to Presidential Palace Amid Protests
4 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto summons the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Muhammad Herindra, to the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Herindra will deliver information about the recent demonstration situation.
Indonesian House Speaker to Lead DPR Reform
4 jam lalu
House Speaker Puan Maharani emphasizes that, in principle, the House of Representatives (DPR) will continue to improve itself.
