Demonstrators and various segments of society gathered outside the DPR Building in Jakarta on Thursday, August 27, 2026, where a protest demanding the passage of the Asset Seizure Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset) turned briefly volatile with stone-throwing incidents, according to on-the-ground reports. The mobilization brought together citizens, students, and workers voicing multifaceted grievances against the government, running concurrently with other localized actions across the capital and in Makassar.
For roughly 10 minutes, a faction of the crowd threw stones, wood, and beverage bottles toward the complex, generating smoke and prompting police units to deploy roadblocks along Jalan S. Parman toward Slipi, West Jakarta.
Protesters articulated strong frustrations over systemic corruption, pointing to data from the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) covering 2019 to 2023, which recorded state losses from corruption at Rp234,8 triliun against a mere Rp32, 8 triliun recovered. Beyond the Asset Seizure Bill, participants leveled criticism at state policies including the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP), and the government’s handling of environmental crises and disasters, such as forest and land fires (karhutla) across Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, alongside the earthquake in Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).
Alternative Demonstrations and Aksi Kamisan in Jakarta
While crowds converged on the legislature, other groups organized distinct demonstrations across the capital. Activists and students assembled at the State Palace for the 922nd Aksi Kamisan, themed ‘One Year of the August 28-31, 2025 Tragedy’, as reported by BBC Indonesia journalist Riana A Ibrahim. Front Mahasiswa Nasional (FMN) Chairman Symphati Dimas stated that his organization chose to join Aksi Kamisan rather than the DPR protest to register a deliberate stance against the legislative body, which he characterized as a buffer for the Prabowo-Gibran administration.
Other civil society participants at Aksi Kamisan, including Annette Mau from MBG Watch, highlighted fiscal emergency concerns and the government’s response to natural disasters in NTT and Sumatra. Maria Catarina Sumarsih used the gathering to emphasize that enforcement commitment outweighs rushed legislation, while reiterating longstanding demands for accountability regarding past human rights violations and police violence.
Did You Know?
According to historical context cited by coverage from Kompas.com, public discussions surrounding the Asset Seizure Bill date back to March 29, 2023, when then-Menko Polhukam Mahfud MD publicly urged the DPR to pass the legislation, only to be met with statements regarding the necessity of prior discussions with political party leaders.
Online Ojek Driver Solidarity and Regional Protests in Makassar
Away from the primary security perimeters, dozens of online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers operated a logistical support network by carrying boxes of mineral water and food on foot through police blockades. Drivers like Rani and Adit told reporters they abandoned daily fares on August 27 to volunteer their physical labor, ensuring grassroots demands reached the protest sites even without direct participation in the main demonstration.
Meanwhile, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, the Federation of Maritime Workers Union of Makassar organized a separate protest at the Flyover, according to journalist Muhammad Aidil. Union leader Fikasianus Icang stated that workers protested the Free Nutritious Meal program due to rising staple food prices impacting purchasing power, alongside fuel (BBM) scarcities at local gas stations, taxation burdens, and declining educational standards.
Expert Insight
As noted by UNJ political analyst Ubedilah Badrun regarding the lead-up to the August 27 mobilization—which involved friction surrounding the Aliansi Masyarakat Pati Bersatu (AMPB)—state intimidation and pre-emptive measures against demonstrators risk reflecting poorly on democratic tolerance. Observers note that when public grievances spanning anti-corruption measures, economic pressures, and environmental crises coalesce without coordinated institutional channels, managing potential horizontal friction among mixed political factions becomes a critical test for security forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main demands raised by demonstrators at the DPR building?
Protesters primarily demanded the passage of the Asset Seizure Bill and capital punishment for corruptors, alongside critiques of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP), and government handling of forest fires and natural disasters.
Why did the Front Mahasiswa Nasional (FMN) choose to join Aksi Kamisan instead of the DPR protest?
FMN Chairman Symphati Dimas stated that participating in Aksi Kamisan at the State Palace was a deliberate stance to turn their backs on the DPR, which the organization views as a protective shield for the Prabowo-Gibran administration rather than a true representative of the people.
What specific issues did workers raise during the demonstration in Makassar?
In Makassar, the Federation of Maritime Workers Union highlighted complaints regarding the rising prices of basic goods tied to the Free Nutritious Meal program, fuel shortages causing long queues at gas stations, tax pressures, and a perceived decline in educational quality.
/data/photo/2026/08/27/6a8faa0fddced.jpeg "Photo: nasional.kompas.com")
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