Responding To 17+8 People's Demands, Wiranto: President Is Responsive, But Needs Process

JAKARTA - Presidential Special Advisor for Political and Security, Wiranto, stated that President Prabowo Subianto was responsive to the aspirations voiced by the demonstrators in the last few weeks.

According to Wiranto, most of the aspirations conveyed through demonstrations have been heard and noticed by the President. However, he emphasized that not all demands could be met simultaneously.

"Some of what the demonstrators have asked for, by the public, of course, the President and the President will always hear as much as possible have listened to it, then fulfill what is requested. Of course, everything is not fulfilled simultaneously. If all requests are met, it will also be troublesome," said Wiranto after meeting the President at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, September 4.

Wiranto added that he is also scheduled to report directly to the President to discuss the steps that the government needs to take in response to developing dynamics. He emphasized that the President paid attention to people's expectations and tried to follow up proportionally.

On the other hand, Wiranto appealed to all parties to refrain from being emotional in responding to the situation. If everyone can hold on to themselves, everything is fine," he said.

A wave of student demonstrations and civil society that has been rolling since the end of August 2025 carries 17 + 8 of the People's Demands' with two deadlines, namely the short term of one week (up to September 5, 2025) and the long term of one year (up to August 31, 2026).

In the short term, demonstrators demanded that the government immediately form an independent investigative team for cases of violence by officers, stop the TNI's involvement in civilian security, release detained demonstrators, and take firm action against members of the apparatus who commit human rights violations.

The mass of action also highlighted the privileges of the DPR, with the insistence that the increase in salaries and new facilities be canceled, the assets of members of the DPR were investigated by the KPK, and the DPR Honorary Board processed members who harassed the aspirations of the people.

In the employment sector, demonstrators asked the government to guarantee decent wages, prevent mass layoffs, and open dialogue with labor unions. In addition, the TNI and Polri were asked to emphasize their commitment not to interfere in civilian space.

In the long term, the masses demanded structural reforms, including cleaning up the DPR, reforming political parties, fairer tax reforms, ratifying the Corruptor Asset Confiscation Law, as well as strengthening the KPK, the Corruption Act, Komnas HAM, and independent supervisory institutions.

They also urged police reform to be more professional and humanist, as well as a review of economic and employment policies.