Demonstrators in front of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta during the protest demanding the enactment of the Asset Forfeiture Bill on August 27, 2026. (Heri Latief)
Indonesian authorities deployed more than 18,500 security personnel across capital Jakarta on August 27 as thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the House of Representatives (DPR) in the district of Senayan, demanding lawmakers pass a long-stalled bill allowing the state to seize the assets of corruption convicts.
Police detained 65 people ahead of the rally on suspicion of incitement of unrest, with the Head of Public Relations of the Indonesian Police Budi Hermanto said the move was not meant to curb free expression. He said the goal was to let the demonstration proceed peacefully while daily activities in the capital continued undisturbed.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago said security forces, the military and local authorities would coordinate closely to keep the rally orderly. His remarks followed assurances a day earlier from DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, who said parliament was ready to hear demonstrators’ demands directly.
A banner in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta during the protests on August 27, 2026. It sets out the protestors demand, namely to seize the assets of corruption convicts and issuance of capital punishment against them. (Heri Latief)
Most of the protesters had traveled from Pati, Central Java, under the banner of the United Pati Community Alliance (AMPB), which has pushed for months for passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill and tougher penalties for corruption, following the arrest of the city’s mayor, Sadewo, on suspicion of corruption in January 2026. By midday, AMPB coordinator Supriyono, locally known as Botok, met with parliamentary leaders inside the complex. Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad signed a written pledge committing the DPR to finalise the bill by December 15.
“If the bill is not finalised, we will resign,” Dasco told reporters.
The Pati contingent dispersed after the announcement, though students and other residents remained at the site into the afternoon.
By early Friday, August 28, unrest had spread beyond the parliamentary complex. Unidentified groups set fire to vehicles and a police post, disrupting commuter line train services toward Tanah Abang.
Thursday’s rally fell almost exactly a year after nationwide protests in August 2025 turned deadly, killing a dozen people and leading to thousands of arrests. Whether Thursday’s written commitment holds will depend on how visibly parliament acts before the December deadline.
About The Author
