Restore Security and Order so that the Economy Can Rotate

The protests that erupted from Thursday to Sunday (August 28-31, 2025) led to anarchy. Private homes of state officials were looted, Parliament buildings were burned, and there were fatalities in several areas.

The riot situation clearly created concerns about security and order in the community. Community mobility has decreased. Economic activity was also sluggish.

Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Shinta Kamdani emphasized that the business world needs a guarantee of security and order. This can ultimately drive the economy.

"The business world and society basically need a sense of security and stability to be able to continue to contribute to economic activity," he told Suar (31/8/2025).

"The business world and society basically need a sense of security and stability to be able to continue to contribute to economic activity," said Shinta.

The business community understands the public unrest behind the demonstrations. However, they also emphasize the importance of conveying aspirations that do not add to social wounds. Shinta reminded that prolonged tension has the potential to deepen polarization.

"By being more sensitive to the realities on the ground, both the concerns of the community and the burdens of daily life, we can jointly create a space that is more conducive to listening and finding solutions," he said.

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Novyan Bakrie also urged all parties to calm down. Difficult economic conditions must be faced together by maintaining security so that everyone can return to work and carry out activities.

"As long as the security situation is not conducive, economic activities will be disrupted and adverse impacts will also be experienced by the community," said Anindya, Saturday (30/8/2025).

He added that Kadin fully supports President Prabowo Subianto's statement that the chaotic situation does not benefit the people and the developing nation of Indonesia.

Kadin, Anindya continued, appealed to state officials so that all policies, statements, and actions really pay attention to the real conditions faced by the community today. The psychological condition of the community is being squeezed by economic difficulties, minimal income, rising living costs, difficult employment conditions, and social disparities that are still quite wide. In facing this situation, state officials need to have sensitivity.

Kadin Chairman Anindya Bakrie appealed to state officials so that all policies, statements, and actions really pay attention to the real conditions faced by the community today.

Both Kadin and Apindo agree that the role of the government is crucial in bridging public unrest with the needs of the business world. With the presence of a state that protects the people while ensuring legal certainty, social tensions can be reduced without sacrificing economic productivity.

The importance of security and order to boost the economy was also previously expressed by Vice President of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) of PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (MIND ID) Budi Haryanto, in the Indonesia Security Summit 2025 Discussion Panel, Jakarta, (25/8/2025).

Without conducive conditions, business activities will be hampered, even threatened. "Security must be seen as a strategic element, not just an operational function. Security is the foundation that allows all economic activities to run well," he said.

In line with that, Head of the Security Department of SKK Migas Indarto Wibowo emphasized that maintaining security in strategic industrial sectors such as oil and gas is the main key to maintaining investment continuity and driving the economy.

"We talk about security is important because it is more than just protecting physical assets but also maintaining investor confidence in the company," he said in the Indonesia Security Summit 2025Discussion Panel , (25/8/2025).

A conducive situation is an absolute requirement for workers to carry out their activities without fear, while maintaining business continuity. This is in line with the World Bank report, which says that economic growth can only be achieved sustainably if there is political stability and security.

Countries that fail to maintain order often experience a slowdown in investment, a decline in market confidence, and an exodus of capital. Indonesia, with an economy that is still fragile after the pandemic, certainly cannot ignore these risks.

Keep the unity

In an official statement after a meeting with a number of political party leaders at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Sunday (31/8/2025), President Prabowo Subianto called on all parties to maintain national unity.

"Indonesia is on the verge of awakening. Don't let us be pitted against each other. Voice your aspirations peacefully. Without riots, without looting, without destroying public facilities," the President said.

Previously, the President met with leaders of political parties, namely the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia and Chairperson of PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri, Chairman of Golkar Party Bahlil Lahadalia, Chairman of PAN Zulkifli Hasan, Chairman of NasDem Party Surya Dharma Paloh, Chairman of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar, Deputy Chairman of Democratic Party Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, and Secretary General of PKS Muhammad Kholid.

In addition to political party leaders, President Prabowo also received leaders of state institutions. Present were MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani, DPR Chairman Puan Maharani, and DPD Chairman Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin.

The President also ordered the Police and the TNI to take firm action against the destruction of public facilities, looting of individual houses, and economic centers, in accordance with applicable laws.

Regarding the officers who made mistakes or violations yesterday, the President continued, the Indonesian National Police is currently conducting an examination process.

As is known, at the demonstration on Thursday (28/8/2025), Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old online motorcycle taxi driver, died after being run over by a tactical vehicle (rantis) driven by officers from the Brimob unit.

Responding to the public's concern about DPR officials who make statements that offend the public, the President said that he has received reports from the Chairpersons of Political Parties that they have taken firm measures against their respective DPR members as of September 1, 2025.

Prabowo also emphasized that the leadership of the House of Representatives conveyed that there will be a revocation of several policies of the House of Representatives, including the amount of allowances for members of the House of Representatives and also a moratorium on working visits abroad.

Chairman of the Association of Regency Governments throughout Indonesia (Apkasi) Bursah Zarnubi assessed that demonstrations are a means for students to convey public aspirations and must be heard.

Bursah also reminded the authorities to immediately anticipate the potential for looting and destruction that could trigger horizontal conflict. He gave an example of how the news of the attack on the house of a DPR member should have been responded to quickly by the police. For him, if the situation is allowed to drag on, the community risks taking their own steps that can make things worse.

He suggested that the government and authorities consistently convey peaceful appeals to demonstrators. According to him, repeated appeals every one to two hours could help keep the action orderly.

"For those who commit acts of violence, firm steps must be taken, of course firm is not beaten and shot," said Bursah when contacted on Sunday (31/8/2025).

In a virtual meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs, he said that local governments have been directed to maintain a conducive atmosphere. Regional heads were asked to go directly to the community, provide social assistance, and ensure that public services continue to run.

Bursah emphasized that coordination with security forces, religious leaders, and community leaders is very important so that the situation remains under control.

He considered the central government's directive to be a guide for the regions to ensure stability. According to him, with regencies as centers of economic growth, security guarantees are an absolute requirement. He is optimistic that if a conducive situation is maintained, the regencies can become growth centers that help increase the national economic rate by up to eight percent.

He also reminded the government not to close the democratic space in responding to protests. Demonstrations, according to him, are public control over the government and Parliament. However, he emphasized that the action must take place peacefully and not turn into destructive actions that have the potential to disrupt national stability.

Quench the restlessness

Various efforts to calm the situation were also made by the leaders of Islamic mass organizations. A total of 16 leaders of Islamic organizations attended President Prabowo's invitation at his residence, Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Saturday (30/8/2025).

Also present on the occasion were the chairmen and secretaries-general of the leaders of mass organizations, including the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership (PP), and others.

Chairman of PBNU Yahya Cholil Staquf, in his statement, said that the forum became an open dialog space between the President and the leaders of mass organizations. Yahya emphasized that the meeting discussed the nation's problems as a whole, including cooperation in facing existing challenges.

"We agreed to work together to overcome the situation, to invite the people to be more calm. And God willing, together with President Prabowo Subianto under his administration and also with the support of the leaders of the people, God willing, together we can overcome whatever challenges we face," he said.

Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Haedar Nashir emphasized the importance of maintaining national unity through the role of Islamic mass organizations. Haedar also appreciated the President's open attitude in receiving input from the leaders of mass organizations.

"Mr. President is so open and we have the same view that we, the forces of Islamic organizations as a force that has a long history in this Republic in independence and post-independence, fully understand, fully appreciate. We need to protect the unity, integrity, and future of the nation together," Haedar said.

Not only the business world, academics and economists also emphasize the importance of proper handling so that this social crisis does not lead to a spiral of fear. Executive Director of the Institute for Economic and Social Research, Education and Information (LP3ES) Fahmi Wibawa warned that the security approach should not create new trauma.

"Don't let a granary be burned just because you want to catch the rat," he said in the LP3ES Public Discussion entitled Lighting Candles in Darkness: Reflections and Concerns with Civil Society on Sunday afternoon (31/8/2025).

For Fahmi, what must be eradicated are the root causes of elite arrogance, repressive authorities, and the practice of law that can be bought.

In the same forum, Diversity Thinker Sukidi assessed that the massive demonstrations that have occurred recently are the accumulation of chronic injustice.

"The accumulation of injustice is expressed through people's anger against arrogant power," he said.

He urged the President to present responsive leadership, prioritizing the safety of the people as the highest law. Sukidi emphasized that crisis management must not make people victims. The police, he said, must act as protectors, not repressors.

Sukidi urged the President to provide responsive leadership, prioritizing the safety of the people as the supreme law.

"All actions that harm the sacred trust of human honor are contrary to Pancasila," he said. For him, social protests should be directed atpeaceful movements, not violence.

The points raised by the academics show that stability cannot be understood simply as the "absence of unrest". It must be built on the foundations of social justice and public trust. According to the academics, without these, calm will only be artificial and easily broken at any time.