Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Nation's Conscience Movement, a coalition of prominent intellectuals and religious leaders, has called on President Prabowo Subianto to release activists and students who remain in police custody following the August protests. The group presented their request to the President at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on September 11, 2025.
The movement includes notable figures such as Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid, M. Quraish Shihab, Ahmad Mustofa Bisri, Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, Omi Komariah Nurcholish Madjid, Frans Magnis Suseno, and Amin Abdullah.
Other members are Bhikkhu Pannyavaro Mahathera, Alissa Q. Wahid, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Karlina Rohima Supelli, Jacky Manuputty, Gomar Gultom, A. Setyo Wibowo, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Eri Seda, Laode Moh. Syarif, Makarim Wibisono, Komaruddin Hidayat, and Slamet Rahardjo.
Following a three-hour meeting with Prabowo, former Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin stated that many students, activists, and scholars were still being held in various cities. "We hope they can be released as soon as possible because they are, at their core, our children who should not be in such a situation," he said.
Lukman explained that their continued detention could disrupt their education and jeopardize their futures. He stressed that the students and activists were engaged in peaceful, constitutionally protected demonstrations. He noted that while the protests ultimately turned violent, the peaceful demonstrators may not have been the ones who initiated the violence.
"Many of them were not involved [in the chaos]. So, we are urging the government to act on this promptly," Lukman added.
In addition to the release of detainees, the movement's leaders also urged the President to form an independent investigative team to probe the violent turn of the protests at the end of August.
Lukman, who is also a member of Amnesty International Indonesia, emphasized that an independent commission is necessary to prevent false accusations and slander against peaceful civil society actions. He added that this commission should not only have individuals of integrity and professionalism but also possess the authority to carry out its functions effectively.
Gomar Gultom, the General Chair of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), also called on the President to reform the police. He suggested that the President evaluate and reorganize the leadership and policies of the National Police to prevent excessive actions that violate human and constitutional rights.
"So, in a way, the proposals formulated will be carried out by the President, especially related to the issue of reform in the field of police earlier," Gultom said.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2048249/scholars-and-ulema-urge-prabowo-to-free-detained-activists-student