September 1, 2025 | 11:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At least seven people were killed during a series of demonstrations that swept across several Indonesian cities in late August 2025. Clashes between police and protesters escalated into riots that resulted in tragic casualties. In some cases, such as in Jakarta, fatalities occurred directly from police actions. In other cities, riots led to deaths after crowds set a building on fire.
The victims represent a range of backgrounds, from students and public servants to a pedicab driver. Here are the details of the victims and the locations where they died during the wave of demonstrations and riots from August 28-31, 2025.
Makassar
According to the Makassar City Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), four people were killed in a protest on the night of Thursday, August 28, 2025. Three of them died in a fire at the Makassar City Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) office, while another was beaten by a crowd.
Sarinawati, a 25-year-old staff member of the DPRD, was found dead on the third floor of the office building. She had been hiding from the rioting crowd but was trapped when the fire spread.
Muhammad Akbar Basri, a 28-year-old public relations photographer for the DPRD, was also found on the third floor. He was suspected of trying to hide from the rioters but became trapped in the fire.
Syaiful Akbar, a 43-year-old head of the People's Welfare Section of Ujung Tanah District, died after jumping from the third floor of the DPRD building to escape the fire. He was taken to Grestelina Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Rusdamdiansyah, a 21-year-old, died after a crowd beat him on Urip Sumoharjo Street, in front of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) Campus. The mob accused him of being a police intelligence officer. He was taken to a hospital but could not be saved.
Yogyakarta
The protest in Yogyakarta resulted in the death of Rheza Sendy Pratama, a fifth-semester student at Amikom University Yogyakarta. Rheza died during a riot on Sunday morning, August 31, 2025, in the North Ring Road area in front of the Yogyakarta Regional Police Headquarters.
His father, Yoyon Surono, was shocked by the extent of his injuries. "The back of his neck was broken, his temple was oozing, there were many traces of police boots on his chest and stomach, and bruises from beatings on his body," he said tearfully.
Rheza had initially told hisfamily he was going out for coffee with friends, but it's believed he joined the protest. She was taken to Dr. Sardjito General Hospital by a police health unit and was pronounced dead at 7:00 a.m.
The Yogyakarta Regional Police stated they are prepared to conduct a full investigation into Rheza's death. "If the family wishes to question all legal processes concerning his death, we will prepare all the processes, from investigation to prosecution," said Yogyakarta Police Chief Inspector General Anggoro Sukartono.
Solo
The demonstration in Solo, Central Java, led to the death of Sumari, a 60-year-old pedicab driver. Sumari, who had a history of heart disease and asthma, was found in a weakened state near the Ketandan parking building during a clash between the crowd and police at the Gladak Roundabout.
Aipda Rudy Ardhiawan, a local security officer, stated that Sumari was taken to a hospital but did not survive. Residents suspect that tear gas, carried by the wind from the clash, may have worsened his health.
Jakarta
In Jakarta, an online motorcycle taxi driver named Affan Kurniawan died after being run over by a police tactical vehicle on Thursday, August 28, 2025. The 21-year-old was reportedly trying to pick up his fallen phone in the midst of a crowd when he was struck by a speeding vehicle from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police's Mobile Brigade.
According to a witness, Affan was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead shortly after. The incident, which was recorded by residents, led to a larger wave of protests.
Pribadi Wicaksono and Intan Setiawanti contributed to the report
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