Prabowo Categorizes Protest for DPR Allowances as Treason, Turning Chaos to the Point of Burning the Makassar DPRD

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a press statement after visiting victims of the demonstration at the National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, Monday (September 1, 2025). ANTARA/Mentari Dwi Gayati

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto assessed that the burning of the Makassar Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) office by a mob during a demonstration on Friday, August 28, was an act of treason, not an expression of aspirations.

Prabowo stated that the burning of the Makassar DPRD office, South Sulawesi, resulted in the deaths of four civil servants (ASN).

"Remember, in South Sulawesi, four ASN, innocent people, not politically active, were victims. The DPR building was burned down; these were acts of treason, not an expression of aspirations," Prabowo said during a press conference after visiting the victims of the demonstration at the National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Monday.

The President emphasized that the four ASN were innocent victims of the series of arson incidents and anarchic actions by the mob during the demonstration.

Prabowo expressed his concern over the actions of some of the mob, who deliberately burned, attacked, and damaged public facilities, and incited public anger.

Nevertheless, Prabowo ordered all law enforcement officials to investigate those responsible.

"I suspect we already have indications, and we will not hesitate. I will not hesitate to defend the people. I will confront any mafia, no matter how strong I face, in the name of the people," Prabowo asserted.

According to data from the Makassar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the four victims who died at the Makassar Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) office were Budi Haryadi (30), a member of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).

Budi was forced to jump from the roof of the Makassar DPRD building while it was on fire. Although he received medical treatment, his condition was critical.

In addition to Budi, another victim who jumped from the fourth floor was Syaiful (43), Head of the People's Welfare Section (Kesra) in Ujung Tanah District. He was pronounced dead at Grestelina Hospital. Despite receiving intensive care, his life could not be saved.

Other victims, Muhammad Akbar Basri, also known as Abay, a public relations photographer for the Makassar City Council (DPRD), and Sarinawati, a Makassar DPRD staff member, were found by the search and rescue team on the third floor of the building, completely burned.

The two were believed to have been frightened and hid in the room to avoid the anarchic actions of the mob, which, when they became violent, climbed the building's roof to search for DPRD personnel and loot property.