South Sulawesi Police Traces Of Black Blocs In Anarchic Action In Makassar

Illustration of police in the face of demonstration riots (ANTARA)

The police are investigating the alleged involvement of intellectual actors with the anonymous tactics 'Black Blocs' as provocateurs who sparked riots during demonstrations to address the nation's problems on August 28-30, 2025 in various regions in Indonesia, including in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"From the results of the collaboration with the Ditpidum and several Regional Police, yesterday we were summoned to coordinate. Indeed, there is a suspect from West Java who is indeed affiliated with the name Black Blocs," said the Director of the South Sulawesi Regional Police Ditreskrimum Kombes Pol Setiadi Sulaksono, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 24.

Black Blocs are a tactic adopted by certain groups that always move anarchically when infiltrating a demonstration with all-black clothing characteristics by hiding their identities.

Setiadi said that the perpetrators were suspected of being organized and working inciting in every demonstration activity, thus giving rise to movements of anarchist acts.

"So he (blackflocs) is the one who coordinates one (group) that incites all (points of action), both in Bali, Central Java and in East Kalimantan. Alhamdulillah, yesterday from Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, there is no one," he told reporters.

When asked whether there were certain groups affiliated with the Black Blocs in South Sulawesi, he said, so far the police are still investigating several riot suspects who have been arrested. "It is still being investigated, until now," he replied.

Regarding the 61 suspects who have been arrested, 48 adults and 13 of them were minors during the riots in Makassar City on August 29-30, 2025, he said, they would soon be completed.

In addition, the investigators have coordinated with the Prosecutor's Office for the process of transferring the second or P21 case files so that they can be processed immediately and then follow the trial in court.

"From the existing files, we have (run), the Directorate of Criminal Investigation has six files. At the Polrestabes there are about seven-eight files. So, God willing, in these weeks, hopefully P21. (cases) that children only convert (transversion of case settlement), for the time being we wait," he said.

Previously, South Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Rusdi Hartono emphasized that the case files for 48 adult suspects for the rioting and burning of government offices during a demonstration on August 29-30, 2025, will soon be completed for trial in court.

"Of the 61 people we have arrested, it turns out that they also involve children. There are 13 children involved in the case. The remaining 48 are adults. This is still in the process.