Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – The National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, mentioned that a series of protests that led to riots at the end of August until early September 2025 resulted in significant losses. These losses include material and immaterial damages.
According to him, the impact has been felt in the form of instability in security and public order, as well as disruptions in the national economy. Listyo said, "This has also raised concerns among investors who plan to invest in Indonesia," in a video message during a public dialogue held at the Mutiara STIK-PTIK Auditorium on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The material losses include damage to public facilities, the DPR building, police headquarters in various regions, and loss of lives. "As well as immaterial losses such as fear, worry, and trauma the people experienced," he added.
Listyo emphasized that the space for democracy must continue to thrive in society. "However, it should not become an opportunity for actions that hinder the nation's progress," he said.
He mentioned that the police have a set of standard operational procedures (SOP) for handling demonstrations, namely the National Police Chief Regulation Number 1 of 2009 concerning the Use of Force in Police Actions and Standard Procedures Number 1 of 2010 concerning the Handling of Anarchic Actions. In law enforcement, the police do not always use a repressive approach but apply restorative justice.
Listyo said police presence during the protests is meant to protect the rights of the disrupted communities, but he assured members of the force still pay attention and uphold human rights.
Listyo underscored the dynamics on the ground, where peaceful demonstrations are often exploited by rioters, leading to anarchistic acts and even casualties.
The public dialogue held by the police this afternoon raised the theme 'Rights and Duties of Expressing Aspirations in Public, Anarchist Actions Are Legal Responsibility.'
Some civil society representatives who attended as speakers in the meeting included the academic Franz Magnis Suseno, Rocky Gerung, Director of Amnesty International Usman Hamid, Kompolnas member Choriul Anam, and a representative from KontraS, Dimas Bagus.
Unable to attend the afternoon event in person, Listyo delivered his speech via video. He hopes that the discussion forum will serve as a platform to receive input and suggestions from representatives of civil society. "Especially in maintaining and realizing the space for democracy, which is the people's right, to allow critical voices to be expressed for checks and balances as a control tool," Sigit said in the recorded video.