Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs on Government Offices Burned During Protests: It Will Not Happen Again
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago has stressed that the government will not tolerate demonstrations accompanied by the burning of government offices.
Djamari made the statement while referring to incidents of protests that led to the burning of government buildings. However, he did not provide specific details about the events or the timing of the incidents in question.
According to records, demonstrations that turned violent and resulted in the burning of government offices occurred in several regions across Indonesia between August and September 2025.
Djamari assured that similar incidents must not be allowed to recur. The government, he said, will take firm action if any destruction of state facilities occurs.
“There were government offices that were burned or set alight, and there is no tolerance from us for that. It will not happen again in the future; we will act firmly,” Djamari said during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
Nevertheless, Djamari emphasised that the public still has the right to express their opinions and criticise the government through demonstrations.
He said the government has never prohibited protests as long as they are conducted in an orderly manner and in accordance with regulations.
According to Djamari, President Prabowo Subianto has also repeatedly stated that criticism is necessary in government.
In fact, he believes that the various criticisms expressed by the public can serve as refreshing input for government officials.
However, Djamari reminded that the government will not tolerate demonstrations accompanied by the destruction of public facilities or arson.
“Therefore, please go ahead and protest, there is no problem. As long as it does not disrupt the interests of the people and the wider public, as long as it is conducted in an orderly manner, without causing destruction, and certainly not resorting to arson as in the past,” he said.
The August-September 2025 unrest
A wave of protests that turned violent occurred in various parts of Indonesia from 25 August to 9 September 2025.
The protests began as opposition to the allowances for members of the Indonesian House of Representatives and the policy of increasing land and building taxes in several regions.
The situation then escalated and developed into broader clashes after an online motorcycle taxi driver died after being struck by a vehicle on Jalan Penjernihan I, Bendungan Hilir, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.