Riots Of Protests In Pati, Central Java: Overturned Car, Broken Regent's Office Glass

A car caught fire on Jalan Dr Wahidin Pati, Central Java, Wednesday (13/8/2025). BETWEEN/Akhmad Nazaruddin Lathif

PATI - A demonstration by residents in Pati Regency, Central Java, which demanded the removal of Regent Pati Sudewo, ended in chaos on Wednesday, August 13. The action, which initially took place in an orderly manner, turned into anarchist, marked by the destruction of fences, burning cars, and destroying the regent's office glass.

Chaos is expected to occur around 11.30 WIB. As reported by Antara, initially the masses only threw mineral water bottles at the officers, but the situation heated up when the throw of other objects that endangered safety began to occur.

Officers who tried to calm the crowd finally fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. However, some protesters carried out anarchic actions by destroying the building belonging to the Pati Regency Government at the Pati Regency Pendopo complex on the edge of Tombronegoro Street, resulting in broken windows.

A car caught fire on Jalan Doctor Wahidin Pati in a reversed position. A resident named Prayogo suspected that the car belonged to the security forces who were trapped when the crowd broke out.

In the midst of the riots, news circulated that the victim had died, but so far no party has been able to provide an official statement.

Demonstrations were triggered by the Pati Regency Government's policy to increase the rate of Rural and Urban Land and Building Tax (PBB-P2) to 250 percent. Although not all tax objects are subject to a maximum increase in some only increased by 50 percent this policy has drawn rejection.

The statement by the Regent of Sudewo, which was considered offensive to residents, was to invite the public to protest up to 5,000 or 50,000 people, to make the situation worse. Residents also held a donation action by collecting cardboard boxes containing mineral water in front of the Pati Regency Hall as a symbol of protest.