Fact-Finding Commission Reveals Indications of Military Involvement in August Demonstrations
The Fact-Finding Commission has discovered indications of Indonesian National Military (TNI) involvement in the riots during the August 2025 demonstrations. This was disclosed by Muhammad Isnur, Director of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
"We identified four levels relating to TNI members suspected of being involved," he said at the launch of the Fact-Finding Commission Report, held at the Indonesia Corruption Watch office in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
First, there are indications of incitement allegedly carried out by TNI soldiers during the protests. Isnur pointed to the presence of BAIS (Strategic Intelligence Agency) and TNI personnel who appeared to be encouraging the protest masses. These actions led to clashes and attacks between security forces and demonstrators.
He stated that the indications of incitement were further supported by field witnesses and visual recordings. In the commission's digital findings, he said, direct interactions between uniformed personnel and the masses were visible, particularly during the early phase of the escalation of unrest.
"However, this evidence still requires further pro justitia investigation to ascertain intent, the context of deployment, and the relevant chain of command," he said.
The Fact-Finding Commission also found indications of negligence regarding assistance that should have been provided by TNI personnel. Isnur referred to violence escalation mitigation measures that were not carried out by military forces against potential threats to public security.
BAIS and TNI personnel, he said, failed to take the necessary steps to mitigate the escalating violence. Isnur stated that further pro justitia investigation was needed to determine whether this was done deliberately or as a consequence of disruptions in the chain of command.
At the third level, indications of deliberate inaction were found. This inaction led to acts of violence, arson, and looting allegedly committed by the masses. "The inaction was reflected in the absence of TNI personnel at locations prone to violence escalation despite requests for assistance," he said.
The Fact-Finding Commission also found indications of a breakdown in command accountability. The commission's analysis showed that TNI Headquarters leadership and Regional Military Command (Kodam) leadership held effective command over troop deployment and the execution of military operations other than war at a number of strategic locations.
Nevertheless, Isnur stated that the Fact-Finding Commission had not yet found sufficient evidence to conclude institutional TNI involvement in the form of operations or illegal orders deliberately intended to create unrest during the August 2025 demonstrations. This included information regarding individuals with military backgrounds allegedly involved in mass mobilisation.
"We have no strong, direct, and irrefutable evidence demonstrating causality between TNI involvement at the institutional and personnel level," he said.
Tempo contacted TNI Headquarters Information Centre Chief Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah to confirm the report, but the message had not received a response at the time of publication.
"We identified four levels relating to TNI members suspected of being involved," he said at the launch of the Fact-Finding Commission Report, held at the Indonesia Corruption Watch office in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
First, there are indications of incitement allegedly carried out by TNI soldiers during the protests. Isnur pointed to the presence of BAIS (Strategic Intelligence Agency) and TNI personnel who appeared to be encouraging the protest masses. These actions led to clashes and attacks between security forces and demonstrators.
He stated that the indications of incitement were further supported by field witnesses and visual recordings. In the commission's digital findings, he said, direct interactions between uniformed personnel and the masses were visible, particularly during the early phase of the escalation of unrest.
"However, this evidence still requires further pro justitia investigation to ascertain intent, the context of deployment, and the relevant chain of command," he said.
The Fact-Finding Commission also found indications of negligence regarding assistance that should have been provided by TNI personnel. Isnur referred to violence escalation mitigation measures that were not carried out by military forces against potential threats to public security.
BAIS and TNI personnel, he said, failed to take the necessary steps to mitigate the escalating violence. Isnur stated that further pro justitia investigation was needed to determine whether this was done deliberately or as a consequence of disruptions in the chain of command.
At the third level, indications of deliberate inaction were found. This inaction led to acts of violence, arson, and looting allegedly committed by the masses. "The inaction was reflected in the absence of TNI personnel at locations prone to violence escalation despite requests for assistance," he said.
The Fact-Finding Commission also found indications of a breakdown in command accountability. The commission's analysis showed that TNI Headquarters leadership and Regional Military Command (Kodam) leadership held effective command over troop deployment and the execution of military operations other than war at a number of strategic locations.
Nevertheless, Isnur stated that the Fact-Finding Commission had not yet found sufficient evidence to conclude institutional TNI involvement in the form of operations or illegal orders deliberately intended to create unrest during the August 2025 demonstrations. This included information regarding individuals with military backgrounds allegedly involved in mass mobilisation.
"We have no strong, direct, and irrefutable evidence demonstrating causality between TNI involvement at the institutional and personnel level," he said.
Tempo contacted TNI Headquarters Information Centre Chief Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah to confirm the report, but the message had not received a response at the time of publication.