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 (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago has stressed that the government will not tolerate any demonstrations involving the burning of government offices. The statement was made by Djamari when referring to a protest that culminated in the torching of a government building, though he did not elaborate on the specific incident or when it occurred. According to records, demonstrations that ended in chaos and led to the burning of government offices took place 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 there is any destruction of state facilities. “There was a government office that was burned or set on fire, and there is no tolerance from us for that. It will not happen in the future; we will act decisively,” Djamari stated during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. Nevertheless, Djamari affirmed that the public retains the right to express their opinions and criticise the government through demonstrations. He said the government never prohibits 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 for the administration. In fact, he considers the various criticisms conveyed by the public to be 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, no problem. As long as it does not disturb the interests of the people and the wider community, as long as it is conducted orderly, without vandalism, and certainly not with arson like in the past,” he said. The riots between August and September 2025 began as protests against the allowances for members of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and policies on land and building tax increases in several regions. The situation escalated and developed into wider clashes after an online motorcycle taxi driver died in a traffic accident on Jalan Penjernihan I, Bendungan Hilir, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.