Protests that took place in late August 2025 in Jakarta and several cities across Indonesia resulted in injuries and deaths. The demonstrations also resulted in damage to several buildings and public facilities and the burning of property. According to Saurlin P. Siagian, S.Sos., M.A., Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), authorities must engage in a defensive, not offensive, response to demonstrators.

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The demonstrations that took place from August 25th to 29th in Jakarta and several other cities resulted in numerous casualties. According to Saurlin P. Siagian, some victims were hospitalized, while most were treated as outpatients.

"According to our records, 1,683 protesters were detained at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters, most of whom have been released. There are 250 people being treated at various hospitals, 9 as inpatients, and 241 as outpatients. Two deaths occurred in Jakarta, Affan Kurniawan and Andika Lutfi Falah. Our team also reported injuries and deaths in other cities. Cities monitored by our team include Solo, Yogyakarta, Makassar, Medan, and other areas," he said.

This number of casualties could have been minimized if both parties, both demonstrators and security forces, had exercised restraint. Demonstrators, while expressing their aspirations, should have refrained from anarchic acts such as vandalism, fires, or throwing stones at security forces.

Long-lasting demonstrations are clearly exhausting for both sides. Sometimes the authorities are provoked into retaliating against provocative actions. However, according to Saurlin P. Siagian, whatever the reason, the authorities should not be provoked.

"The government must provide the facilities and infrastructure so that the authorities can defend themselves against demonstrators. They must not be provoked into taking offensive or attacking actions. What is permitted is defensive action," he said.

If this SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is implemented, injuries or even deaths like those experienced by Affan Kurniawan and Andika Lutfi Falah in Jakarta and other cities can be minimized.

"Education is needed so that the public understands the corridors and methods for expressing opinions so that they do not end in violence. We also urge the authorities not to use violence in quelling demonstrations," he told Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Meidianto from VOI, who met him at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) office in Menteng, Jakarta, on September 4, 2025.

What is Komnas HAM's observation of the August 2025 demonstrations?

We were deeply shocked by the sheer scale of the demonstrations, which took place in several cities across Indonesia. The casualties from these actions were extraordinary, including human, material, and public property damage. We are deeply concerned about this situation. Komnas HAM has been involved since August 25th and continues through the end of August. In early September, there were no demonstrations on the scale of August 25th and 29th. Frankly, we are exhausted by the escalation of the demonstrations, which continued from afternoon to evening, some even reaching dawn. We monitored not only Jakarta but also several other areas where demonstrations took place.

To address this issue, Komnas HAM, along with other institutions such as the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the National Commission on Disabilities (KND), and the Ombudsman, have agreed to establish a communication platform. In addition, we have also designed a joint monitoring team called the Independent Fact-Finding Team for the August-September 2025 Demonstrations and Riots. This team is tasked with investigating what actually happened during the demonstrations.

How many victims were recorded by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)?

According to our records, 1,683 protesters were detained at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, most of whom have since been released. 250 people were treated in various hospitals, 9 inpatients, and 241 outpatients. Two deaths occurred in Jakarta, Affan Kurniawan and Andika Lutfi Falah. Our team has also reported injuries and deaths in other cities. Cities monitored by our team include Solo, Yogyakarta, Makassar, Medan, and other areas.

What methods does Komnas HAM use in monitoring?

We have standard operating procedures (SOPs) for monitoring, both through complaints and our own initiative when there are indications of human rights violations. This is called proactive monitoring.

What are the criteria for human rights violations in demonstrations according to the law?

Determining human rights violations is quite simple. If a single right is violated as stipulated in Law No. 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, then it constitutes a human rights violation. Between August 25th and 29th, human rights violations occurred. The most serious violation was the right to life, namely the loss of life. This is a clear human rights violation.

This is regulated in Articles 4 and 39 of Law No. 39/1999, which relate to the loss of the right to feel safe and free from fear, the right to express opinions in public, and the right to legal representation. When it comes to the judicial realm, there is also the right to a fair trial. In addition, there are the rights to health, education, and other interrelated rights.

How does the National Commission on Human Rights assess the actions of officers based on the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability?

The police do have the authority to provide security. They must also ensure the right to express opinions is properly upheld. In the context of human rights, this includes civil and political rights. The police must exercise restraint, not active aggression.

Then there are economic, social, and cultural rights. This is where the state must intervene to fulfill them, such as the right to health, education, and culture. When the state is present, conditions must be better, for example through support and subsidies.

For civil and political rights, the state must not interfere too much, so that these rights can develop naturally as human rights. During demonstrations, the police must be defensive, not offensive. The state is also obliged to improve the equipment, capacity, and quality of its personnel to be able to confront protesters defensively.

What was the situation like in the August demonstrations?

We distinguish between two categories. First, there were peaceful demonstrations. Second, there were demonstrations accompanied by the destruction of public facilities, arson, and looting. In the second situation, the police must actively take action because their actions violate the rights of others and the greater good.

We must objectively assess the police's position in the August demonstrations. This assessment cannot be made holistically; it must be viewed on a case-by-case basis.

The crowds sometimes get out of control, with some carrying poles, rocks, and even Molotov cocktails. What's the point?

Protesters should refrain from using violence to express their opinions. Only peaceful demonstrations can make this country better.

We see students peacefully expressing their aspirations, but on the ground, there are infiltrators who create chaos, anarchy, looting, and so on. What's the situation with this?

In some cases, we see peaceful demonstrations. However, some media coverage suggests the involvement of those involved in planned destruction. While we don't yet have proof, there are indications of the involvement of certain parties in the August demonstrations. Therefore, it's reasonable to suspect that other parties are infiltrating the peaceful demonstrations.

Are they riding on the demonstrations?

Judging by the pattern, they don't all join together. Usually, peaceful demonstrators have already left, and then a group of people continue. However, this group is not part of the original demonstration. This requires further monitoring by our established joint team.

In the case of Affan Kurniawan's death, how are you observing this case?

We express our condolences for the death of online motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan. Several other people also died during the August demonstrations in Jakarta and other cities. We are currently investigating. We urge that the deaths of Affan Kurniawan and the other victims be resolved. The police have announced a suspect in Affan Kurniawan's death. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) supports the police in their swift investigation into the perpetrators and ensuring the rights of the deceased victims are fulfilled.

Furthermore, it must be ensured that those still detained, if innocent, must be released immediately. This is crucial for building public trust in the state. Once the situation is conducive, we will delve deeper into the cases and excesses resulting from the August demonstrations.

If we consider victims among protesters and also among the security forces, what about this?

In the context of human rights, it is somewhat different. We focus on victims caused by the state, in this case, the security forces. Handling victims who are not members of the community requires a different mechanism, not a human rights approach.

There was also looting of the homes of Ahmad Sahroni, Eko Patrio, Uya Kuya, Nafa Urbach, and Sri Mulyani. Is this a concern for the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)?

We deeply regret the looting of the homes of these council members and state officials. We urge authorities to take legal action against the perpetrators of the looting. This is a country governed by the rule of law, and private space cannot be violated carelessly. Therefore, this looting case is not the focus of Komnas HAM, but rather the responsibility of law enforcement. It must be thoroughly investigated to prevent a recurrence. If left unchecked, it could be considered permissible.

What about the civil servant who died as a result of the South Sulawesi Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) building fire?

We have dispatched a team to Makassar and are investigating. This was part of the excesses of the demonstrations, accompanied by anarchy.

What concrete steps has the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) taken to ensure the accountability of its officers?

The current priority is to restore order after the August demonstrations, which resulted in numerous injuries, fatalities, property losses, and damage to public facilities. We must uphold the rule of law to restore public trust in the state.

Security forces need to immediately ensure that all those arrested and found not guilty of a crime are immediately released. Especially for children, if any are involved in a crime, they must be prosecuted under laws relating to children, not the Criminal Code. Don't forget to involve parents to create a collaborative development process.

Will Komnas HAM oversee the legal process in Affan Kurniawan's case to completion?

The legal process is already underway, and we will continue to monitor it until the trial is complete. We monitored the trial at the National Police's Propam (Propam) headquarters. We have also communicated with the National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) to oversee this case, and they are open to Komnas HAM's involvement. The National Police are involving Komnas HAM in gathering facts and evidence.

Learning from the Trisakti and Semanggi cases, why do the handling of alleged gross human rights violations often stall?

There are many problems, some political and some technical. For example, regarding the facts surrounding alleged human rights violations, when prosecutors request evidence, it means it still needs to be gathered. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), with all its authority, continues to urge that every case of alleged human rights violations be investigated by the prosecutor's office. When Komnas HAM determines a case of alleged human rights violations to be a gross human rights violation, we simultaneously prepare compensation for the victims. We collect data and provide letters that victims can use to access the rights or compensation they received as a result of the human rights violations they experienced.

The letters also explain that they are innocent but have instead been victims of human rights violations. We have issued more than 5,000 letters to these victims. Data collection is ongoing as it is one of our priorities.

What can be done to prevent impunity in future cases of alleged human rights violations?

Two or three years ago, the state took notice. First, the state acknowledged that gross human rights violations had occurred. The state then issued Presidential Decrees and Instructions regarding this matter, ensuring that ministries and institutions would provide services for the victims. There are also legal efforts to bring alleged perpetrators of human rights violations to justice, such as in the Paniai case, whose trial recently took place. This means that to prevent impunity in the future, law enforcement must be in place.

What is your call to students and the public to refrain from anarchy when expressing their opinions through demonstrations?

Students and the public can hold demonstrations and express their aspirations. This is protected by law. However, expressing their opinions should not involve violence, looting, arson, or other means. Demonstrations can actually act as a counterbalance to the government when the legislative body is not functioning optimally. This is because our parliament has no opposition.

Students are demonstrating to voice their aspirations and injustice, but some freeloaders are infiltrating. How do you think this can be addressed?

This is the duty of law enforcement to anticipate and use a persuasive approach with demonstrators. Further investigations must be carried out to determine whether there are indeed infiltrators at every demonstration. To date, there has been no concrete action from security forces regarding these allegations.

Education is needed so that the public understands the corridors and methods for expressing opinions to prevent violence. We also urge authorities not to use violence to quell demonstrations. Prioritize a defensive, not an offensive, approach when handling demonstrations. Better equipment is needed to prevent injuries to officers. The use of water cannons must also be based on standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avoid harm. The quality of personnel must be improved to prevent them from being easily provoked by demonstrators.

What are your hopes for the resolution of the alleged human rights violations during the August 2025 demonstrations? Can the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) oversee this, and can the press and civil society also provide oversight?

We must all learn from the August demonstrations. There have been casualties and the costs incurred are significant. We must continue to monitor the resolution of the alleged human rights violations. Furthermore, the root of this problem stems from significant social inequality. This must be addressed by the state, and the involvement of capable citizens is also highly desirable. If this social inequality is resolved, I believe an outbreak will be difficult to achieve.

Saurlin P Siagian Totality in Komnas HAM

As a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Saurlin P. Siagian, S.Sos., M.A., says he has virtually no time for other matters. Therefore, he devotes his entire time and attention to processing thousands of reports submitted by the public. How does he manage to care for his family amidst his busy schedule? This is what Saurlin P. Siagian, a Commissioner of Komnas HAM, shares.

"Believe it or not, we barely have time to rest. Because Komnas HAM handles so many serious problems. If they weren't serious, people wouldn't report to us. These thousands of incoming cases demonstrate the public's trust in us," said the Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation of Komnas HAM.

Desiring to dedicate himself fully to Komnas HAM, he currently has no other job or other activities. "How can I work elsewhere? We can't process all these thousands of reports from the public due to limited resources," said the man who has chosen to become a part-time lecturer at Darma Agung University, Medan.

He had a recent experience. "I was tired from going back to the office after working in the field when someone came to complain. Even though there were many staff members in the office, he refused, so I was forced to meet him. It turned out he was a student who had been shot during one of the demonstrations. He was afraid to go home. Finally, I took him home. It turned out his residence was in a very poor condition. After talking with him and calming down, I was able to go home," he said, exemplifying the total dedication he showed to helping people who complained.

Social Gap

According to him, the severe social disparity in this country has contributed to the demonstrations that have occurred in several regions. "The social gap in our country is very wide. This is a difficult task that must be resolved. If this gap can be narrowed, it will close the gap for explosions," said the man, whose full name is Saurlin Pandapotan Siagian.

He further added that being a commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) not only requires processing thousands of incoming reports and trying to resolve them. It also requires a humane side when dealing with the people who report their problems.

"If we can't completely resolve the reported issues, at least we can ease the emotional pain experienced by the people who complain," he said. He added that a commissioner must be patient and possess a strong sense of empathy.

In other words, he said, victims must be cared for, protected, and accompanied. "They must know that we at Komnas HAM are with them in resolving the problems they face. They feel like they have a caring friend," he continued, adhering to the principle of lifelong service.

Sharing Time for Family

Even though he spends almost all of his time serving at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Saurlin P. Siagian still makes time and attention for his wife and children. "Previously, I lived in different ways. I was in Jakarta, my wife and children were in another city. But I'm finally trying to live together in Jakarta," he said.

Despite his busy schedule, he devotes time and attention to his family on weekends. "After being busy working in the office from Monday to Friday, and even on weekends, I have to divide my attention with my family. Outside of the weekend, I usually call them if I have something important to discuss," he said.

As the son of a farmer who grew up in a village, education is the only thing that can free me from the abyss of poverty. "So, school is very important. Because after we graduate, opportunities for work in various places are wide open. That's the path to freedom from the acute poverty that has plagued us all this time," said the man who completed elementary and high school in Toba Regency, North Sumatra.

After high school, he continued his studies at the University of North Sumatra in Medan, graduating in 2001. In addition to teaching at Darma Agung University majoring in Government Science, he was also active in environmental conservation organizations and legal advocacy before moving to Jakarta to become a Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission.

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The only problem is, school is expensive. "That's why we have to push for free schools, and the state must fund them according to its capacity. After all, our Constitution mandates the government to educate the nation," he said. Saurlin P. Siagian also advised children to use gadgets wisely, only for essential purposes.

"We must all learn from the August demonstrations; there have been casualties and the costs have been substantial. We must continue to monitor the resolution of the alleged human rights violations that occurred. Furthermore, the root of this problem stems from significant social inequality. This must be addressed by the state, and the involvement of capable citizens is highly desirable. If this social inequality is addressed, I believe an eruption will be less likely."