Jakarta Police Probe “Intellectual Actors” Behind Unrest That Left One Dead

Indonesian police are looking beyond the crowds who attended an anti-corruption rally, investigating what they call possible “intellectual actors” behind the violence that left a man dead in Jakarta.

Police named 47 suspects in connection with damage to public facilities and assaults outside the Parliament complex and in nearby Pejompongan on Aug. 27. Jakarta criminal investigation director Iman Imanuddin said that although the groups appeared separately, investigators suspected they had been mobilised.

The original demonstration brought about 500 people from Pati in Central Java to demand that Parliament pass the long-delayed Asset Forfeiture Bill. Representatives met parliamentary leaders, and most participants had left by midday. Other people later remained or arrived with wider complaints about jobs, living costs and government spending.

Iman said the violence began after the demonstration had ended, when unidentified groups arrived and immediately damaged property instead of presenting demands. “What happened in the unrest was not carried out by protesters. They were not protesters,” he said.

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Although they appeared in separate groups, we suspect there was mobilisation.

Three people were detained between the night of Sept. 1 and the morning of Sept. 2 over the alleged destruction of government CCTV cameras outside Parliament. Police said those involved appeared to know that Jakarta was heavily monitored and had tried to obstruct the investigation by removing or destroying possible evidence.

Police are separately examining the death of a man identified by authorities as BS. Kompas.com identified him as Bambang Setiawan, a mirror seller who was attacked in Pejompongan. Investigators have questioned 14 witnesses and reviewed CCTV and social media footage. Facial sketches of two suspected attackers, both believed to be aged between 30 and 40, have been produced.

Authorities are also examining allegations linking GRIB Jaya, or the United Indonesian People’s Movement, to Bambang’s death. The claims circulated on social media, and the group’s possible involvement remains part of the investigation.

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What happened in the unrest was not carried out by protesters. They were not protesters.