Police Arrest CCTV Vandal During Unrest Following 27 August Protest
The police have arrested the perpetrators responsible for damaging closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras during the unrest following the expression of aspirations on 27 August. The suspects are currently undergoing intensive interrogation to clarify the details of the case.
“Regarding the destruction of CCTV, we have carried out arrests of the perpetrators. An investigation is currently underway,” stated the Director of Criminal Investigation of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes Iman Imanuddin, during a press conference at his office on Wednesday (2/9/2026).
Detailed information regarding the number of arrested individuals and their identities has not yet been released. During questioning, the suspects revealed their motives for damaging CCTV cameras on the streets of Jakarta.
“Based on preliminary findings, they understood that there are many CCTVs or monitoring cameras throughout Jakarta, so they attempted to hinder the investigative process regarding the unlawful acts committed,” he explained.
Iman noted that the suspects intended to destroy or eliminate video evidence that could be used in the investigation. The police emphasised that the CCTV cameras were not damaged by the demonstrators themselves, but rather by another group that arrived near the MPR/DPR building to instigate riots.
“To clarify the pattern of the rioters: the riots were not caused by the protesters. The protest activities and the public expression of opinions had already concluded,” he added.
Governor Demands Identification of CCTV Vandals
The Governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung, who monitored the demonstrations, highlighted the destruction of several CCTV cameras during the unrest. He emphasised that the destruction of public facilities can harm the public interest.
Pramono monitored the situation alongside the Commander of Jaya Military District Lt. Gen. Deddy Suryadi, the Metro Jaya Regional Police Chief Komjen Asep Edi Suheri, and the Jakarta Regional Intelligence Agency Head Maj. Gen. TNI Tjahjono Prasetyanto from Thursday (27/8) night until the early hours of Friday (28/8). He also coordinated with various regional apparatus organisations (OPD) of the Jakarta Provincial Government.
“Last night, we monitored the events on the ground alongside the Commander, the Police Chief, and the Head of Intelligence, and I also coordinated with all Jakarta OPD ranks responsible for the recent actions,” Pramono said in Pancoran, South Jakarta, on Friday (28/8).
Regarding the CCTV vandalism, Pramono has requested the Jakarta Department of Communication, Informatics, and Statistics (Diskominfotik) to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators.
“Regarding the destruction of CCTV, I will certainly ask the Head of Diskominfotik to study who was responsible and what their objective was,” he stated.