Damage To Public Facilities During Demonstration Is A Mirror Of The Familiarity Of State And Citizen Relations

The janitor while cleaning up the Transjakarta Senen bus stop that was burned by the masses in Jakarta, Sunday (31/8/2025). (ANTARA/Khaerul Izan)

JAKARTA Public facilities, including bus stops, pedestrian bridges (JPO) are often a symbol of frustration and outlet space.

Demonstrations in front of the DPR Building began on Monday (25/8/2025). However, the action continued until the end of August and spread to various regions in Indonesia.

The tragic incident that killed Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver (ojol) in Jakarta, sparked public outrage. He breathed his last after being run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle in the middle of a riot on Friday (29/8) night.

This incident was quickly spread on social media, sparking public anger. Demonstrations spread to various areas such as Solo, Bandung, Mataram, Makassar, and other cities. Many turn into riots and public facilities are targeted.

Public facilities are a symbol of frustration and outlet space, as well as a fragile reflection of relations between countries and citizens. Not because that is the root of the problem, but because that is all that can be seen, touched, and damaged, "transport observer Muhamad Akbar, in a statement received by VOI.

Removing allowances for DPR members, including housing allowances worth IDR 50 million per month, is one of the people's demands. However, the action, which initially went peacefully, turned into chaos because their demands were not heard. Instead of inviting dialogue, the government through the police responded to these demands with repressive action.

Political observer and Executive Director of the Indonesia Public Institute (IPI) Karyono Wibowo assessed that the people's disappointment peaked because many policies were not pro-people. Not to mention the behavior of state administrators who are judged by the public to be inappropriate in the midst of Indonesia's unfavorable situation and conditions.

In the midst of frustration because people's aspirations were ignored, demonstrations turned into riots. Ironically, public facilities are being targeted by the public.

Transportation observer Muhamad Akbar said this is not the first time this has happened. In 1998, 2019, 2020, and now 2025, every major social eruption always leaves its mark on stops, JPOs, or other public facilities. This pattern continues to repeat itself. Public facilities are a symbol of frustration and outlet space, as well as a reflection of the fragile relationship between countries and citizens. Not because that is the root of the problem, but because that is all that can be seen, touched, and damaged.

The Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta recorded 22 Transjakarta bus stops, both in the corridor (BRT) and non-BRT affected. Six of them were burned by the crowd, while 16 stops were damaged by vandalism.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung revealed that the total loss due to the destruction of public facilities reached Rp. 51 billion, as he said after undergoing a coordination meeting with the DKI Jakarta Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).

Public facilities, such as stopped and JPO, are often targeted in every explosion of social anger. Akbar said, this happened because the bus stop and JPO were the most visible, easily accessible, national representations on the main streets, but minimal security.

Unlike government buildings or police headquarters that are strictly protected, the bus stop stands without fences, without barbed wire fences, without armed forces.

When the mass anger flares up, the bus stop becomes the most easy to enter, easily damaged, and meaningfully. It becomes the closest space to channel undisclosed disappointment, "explained Akbar.

In social psychology, anger that cannot be vented directly to the main target, often looks for an outlet that is closer and weaker. Public facilities such as bus stops, JPOs, or toll gates become an 'soft target' when the DPR building or the ministry's office is unaffordable. In the midst of a hot and emotional crowd, the symbol of public service can turn into an undirected object of protest.

Akbar admitted, in many cases, riots did not always come from demonstrators, but outside elements who infiltrated them to confuse the situation. Provocateurs deliberately sparked chaos in order to distort the message of peaceful action.

On the other hand, riots were created by a group of looters who took advantage of the moment to loot in the midst of chaos. The goal is not aspiration, but opportunism. This is a quick and brutal way to convey that the relationship between the state and its citizens is being disturbed.

Visual burning bus stops and damaged bridges create a dramatic impression. Easy to go viral, spread quickly. The spotlight of the media is increasing, and the issues being fought for even though through negative means become public talks. For some parties, this is seeking publications through damage," he continued.

In the future, Muhamad Akbar encourages the bus stop not only to be a beautiful physical structure, but also to become a public space that is strong socially and has a responsibility to face risks.

A number of Transjakarta stops are designed to be beautiful, futuristic, and Instagramable. But technically not ready to face the risk of rioting, even though the bus stop has been targeted repeatedly.

Therefore, Akbar said, serious evaluation of bus stop designs and other public facilities is needed. Urban infrastructure not only needs to be beautiful, but also tough to deal with emergency situations.

The solution is not just replacing glass with iron. The bus stop can be designed modularly - easily replaced, resistant to fire, and anti-mindals. Hidden surveillance cameras, community-based security, and the involvement of local residents are very important. Resilience is not only a material matter, but also a social relationship. When residents feel they own it, they will also take care of it," he said.

"Caring for the bus stop is our shared responsibility. From the bus stop, we can start rebuilding the broken trust between residents, public spaces, and the state," Akbar concluded.

Disclaimer:

This news is for the benefit of public information, so that the right of the public to know is maintained. The VOI editorial team rejects violence / destruction / arson / looting, because this nation will only be strong if we are loyal to protecting others, taking care of public facilities, and keeping the business world running so that the economy does not get worse. Stay calm, don't be provoked, make this country a safe house for all of us, and prioritize credible sources of information.