Police in Action: Beating Protesters, Intimidating Journalists, Firing Tear Gas, Then Chanting a ‘Victory Song’
A summary of police brutality during the #KawalPutusanMK demonstration in front of the Indonesian Parliament. We must demand an end to this violence.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) recorded multiple incidents of police brutality during the #KawalPutusanMK demonstration in front of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR/MPR RI) on August 22, 2024. In a written statement received by Magdalene, YLBHI Chairperson Muhammad Isnur reported dozens of repressive actions, intimidation, and violence against protesters.
Beyond that, police also arrested 159 demonstrators, including students, activists, and legal aid workers. Among them were Iqbal Ramadhan, an assistant at Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH Jakarta), and Delpedro Marhaen, the director of Lokataru. By early morning, 35 detainees had been released, according to National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) Commissioner Anis Hidayah. However, 124 protesters remained in custody at various police stations, including Polda Metro Jaya, West Jakarta Police, and Tanjung Duren Police Precinct.
Also read: After Protesting and Venting on Social Media: What Can We Do Next?
“They Beat, Dragged, and Ran Over Protesters”
One of the protesters, Kamala (pseudonym), from Central Jakarta, recounted her harrowing experience as a victim of police brutality. Around 7:00 PM, while standing in front of the Parliament Building, she and other demonstrators were forced to retreat after police fired tear gas into the crowd. Fleeing towards Senayan, she witnessed police escalating their violence.
“It wasn’t just water cannons and tear gas. Police officers on motorcycles started intentionally ramming into protesters. The crowd panicked, some even climbed the Senayan flyover to escape, but police kept chasing them. I saw demonstrators who had already fallen being beaten and dragged away. Some had trouble breathing, others had head injuries from police batons,” she told Magdalene.
Kamala managed to escape by entering a shopping mall near Senayan, but the danger persisted. Even in front of the mall, police continued to spray water cannons. Three officers carrying batons forced their way inside, conducting random searches on Kamala and other protesters.
Panicked shopkeepers hurriedly closed their stores around 7:30 PM. Though safe inside, Kamala and several Magdalene journalists were trapped outside the mall entrance. Police blockades, armored vehicles, water cannons, and motorcycle units had locked down the streets for nearly 30 minutes. Kamala was only able to return home at 8:30 PM.
She condemned the police’s excessive force, stating that as a citizen, she has a constitutional right to protest. “I joined the demonstration to defend my rights. If we stay silent, the government will keep building its dynasty. Instead, we get suppressed,” she lamented.
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Journalists Targeted by Police
Kamala wasn’t the only victim. Several journalists also faced violence and intimidation from the police.
According to Tempo, a journalist identified as “H” was beaten while recording footage of police and military officers allegedly assaulting a collapsed protester near the breached Parliament gate on Jalan Gatot Subroto. H overheard an officer say, “Just finish him off”, referring to the unconscious protester.
Suddenly, three officers grabbed H from both sides and the front. Despite showing his press credentials, the police forced him to delete his footage, then punched him in the face, hit his head, and kicked his back. H was released only after erasing the video at a security post inside the Parliament complex. He was later rushed to RSAL Mintohardjo Hospital along with another Tempo journalist, M, who was also blocked from reporting.
Nearby, a journalist from IDN Times who was filming police violence was also harassed. Like H from Tempo, he was ordered to delete his footage by two officers—one in uniform and one in plainclothes. When he refused, one officer taunted him to a fight while holding a riot shield. Fortunately, fellow journalists intervened and pulled him away from the police.
A Narasi journalist was also pushed to the ground by police during coverage. A video posted on Narasi’s Instagram showed officers shoving her with shields and batons, while police on armored vehicles shouted intimidating remarks.
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Condemning Police Brutality
On Amnesty International Indonesia’s official website, Executive Director Usman Hamid called the incident “brutal”. “Security started off peaceful, but then turned violent. And sadly, this isn’t the first time,” he stated.
Usman emphasized that police continue to ignore history, failing to learn that excessive force violates human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, the right to life, and freedom from torture.
“These were not criminals. They were citizens exercising their right to criticize government officials and institutions. Even if laws were violated, that does not justify brutal treatment,” Usman asserted.
Indonesian law actually restricts police use of force to situations where lives are at risk. This is outlined in National Police Regulation No. 1 of 2009, which mandates that officers must not provoke violence, act arrogantly, or use excessive force, even in chaotic protests.
Moreover, National Police Regulation No. 9 of 2008 emphasizes police duties to uphold human rights and presumption of innocence. Similarly, Article 7 (1) of National Police Regulation No. 16 of 2006 forbids arrogant behavior, excessive violence, insults, sexual harassment, and the use of live ammunition.
However, what transpired on August 22 was a blatant violation of these laws. That night, officers in armored vehicles were observed taunting, beating, and chasing protesters and journalists. After successfully dispersing the crowd through violence, police chanted victory slogans as they marched.
“Brutal police behavior proves their failure to recognize that everyone has the right to protest, criticize, and oppose the government. The state must investigate and prosecute those responsible. No more victims,” Usman demanded.
The violence wasn’t limited to Jakarta. Amnesty International Indonesia reported similar brutality in Bandung, where police were filmed beating protesters with batons. In Semarang, at least 15 students from various universities suffered tear gas injuries and were hospitalized.
In 2020, Amnesty International verified 51 videos of police violence from protests against the Omnibus Law in 2019.
The police, with their infamous “Halo, Dek” remarks, don’t seem to realize that their brutality stains their own reputation.
