Boni Hargens: Avoid Efforts To Break People Up With Officials

Mass demonstrations at Polda Metro Jaya, Friday 29 August 2025 (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA Senior political analyst and Executive Director of the Indonesian Voters Institute (LPK), Boni Hargens, reminded that the people's struggle should not be used by certain parties to clash the masses with security forces.

According to him, today's people's struggle is a noble form of correction to the character and behavior of the representatives in parliament. However, he regretted that there were people who tried to make fun of the cloudy water by provoking clashes between the community and the authorities.

Boni made this statement in response to the clash between the demonstrators and the police that took place around the DPR/MPR Building on August 30, 2025. In the incident, the masses who demanded transparency of parliamentary policies were involved in pushing each other with the authorities to the point of chaos. Several demonstrators were injured, while the authorities also reported the victims to the police.

TNI and Polri are part of the people. They are not enemies of the people. So, there needs to be understanding and working hand in hand in fighting for a better democratic life," said Boni in a press statement received, Sunday, August 31.

Boni also mentioned the incident that killed Affan Kurniawan, which he said was an important lesson so that something similar would not be repeated in the future. He appreciated the attitude of the Police who had expressed a commitment to improve performance.

"We are all historical witnesses that this kind of thing should no longer happen. As emphasized by the National Police Chief Listyo Sigit before, the humanist Police are the Police that the people want, so the commitment must be respected," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, emphasized that his party did not want any clashes with the community. According to him, the officers on duty in the field have been directed to prioritize a persuasive approach.

The National Police appreciates the right of the public to express opinions in public. However, we are also obliged to maintain order so that riots do not occur. We make sure that every alleged violation of the procedure will be evaluated," Trunoyudo said in his statement.

He added that the National Police will continue to be committed to realizing a humanist and professional institution as the people want.

Boni also reiterated that the people have the right to speak up and protest because it is guaranteed by the constitution. However, he reminded the public not to be used as toys by dark passengers who actually want to damage state institutions.

The goal of the people's struggle is to create pro-people democracy. Therefore, we all have to focus on this goal without attacking each other. Whatever the form of people's movement today, the state should see it as a good input and learn from this event for future substantive improvements, "said Boni, who is also the founder of the Bright Indonesia Movement (GIC).