Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – A week after the mass protest of August 28 to 30, 2025 in Indonesia, civil society groups calling themselves the 17+8 movement continued to monitor the extent to which their demands (The 17+8 People's Demands) were being followed up by President Prabowo Subianto, the House of Representatives (DPR), political parties, the police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the economic sector ministries.
Based on Tempo's monitoring of the website bijakmemantau.id, of the 17 short-term demands that had to be met by the September 5, 2025, deadline, only a small portion had been implemented.
What has been done?
At the DPR level, three points are considered to have been realized. These demands include a freeze on salary increases and allowances for DPR members and the cancellation of new facilities, including pensions; the publication of budget transparency regarding salaries, allowances, housing, and council facilities; and encouragement for the DPR's Ethics Council to investigate problematic members, including through an investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
These steps represent the only concrete achievements of the 17 demands within a week.
Still in progress
Several other points are reportedly being processed, although no final results have been reached. President Prabowo is reportedly preparing an independent investigative team to investigate the deaths of Affan Kurniawan, Umar Amarudin, and other victims of police violence during demonstrations in late August.
From the political party camp, several party leaders are reportedly just beginning to follow up on demands to impose sanctions on problematic cadres and open dialogue with civil society. The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is also reportedly still in the process of declaring a public commitment to not intrude into civil society during the democratic crisis.
On the economic front, the government is reportedly working on ensuring a living wage, preventing mass layoffs, protecting contract workers, and opening dialogue with labor unions regarding outsourcing and the minimum wage.
Still on hold
Meanwhile, most other points remain unimplemented. The President has yet to withdraw the TNI from civilian security or stop the criminalization of demonstrators. The police have also not yet complied with demands to release all detained demonstrators, end violence by officers, and prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations within the police force.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has also not fully returned to its barracks or enforced discipline to prevent it from taking over the functions of the National Police. Similarly, political parties have not yet announced a clear commitment to side with the people amidst the crisis.
Targets for the next year
In addition to the 17 short-term demands, the public is also demanding eight additional demands with a deadline of August 31, 2026. These points include reform of the House of Representatives (DPR) and political parties, tax reform, ratification of the Asset Confiscation Bill, revision of the Police Law and the TNI Law, strengthening the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), and reviewing economic and labor policies.
To date, records from bijakmemantau.id show that most of these long-term demands remain "not yet." Only DPR reform, tax reform, and deliberation of the Asset Confiscation Bill are listed as having entered the "process" stage.