When Democracy is Paid with Lives: Questioning Death in Demonstrations

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, thousands of workers took to the streets in Jakarta. The action, centered in front of the DPR/MPR Building and the State Palace, was held under the banner of the “HOSTUM” movement (Abolish Outsourcing, Reject Low Wages). The workers brought six main demands, ranging from the abolition of outsourcing to labor tax reform. These demands affirm that the voice of labor is still loud, even though the space to express aspirations is often narrowed. However, the aspirations guaranteed by the constitution ended in tragedy. Instead of becoming a space for dialogue, this series of demonstrations was marked by grief with many fatalities.

Senayan Tragedy: Tactical Wheels That Claimed Lives

Affan Kurniawan, a 20-year-old online motorcycle taxi driver, died after being run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle during a demonstration in the Senayan area on Thursday (28/8/2025). He was treated at RSCM, but eventually died. According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 20:30 WIB when residents protested tear gas shots that reached residential areas. As the crowd approached the Brimob vehicle, one of the tactical vehicles instead drove towards the crowd. The crowd scattered, but Affan did not have time to save himself. The National Police's Propam Division has secured seven members of the Metro Jaya Regional Police's Sat Brimob who were in the vehicle. National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo also conveyed a direct apology to the victim's family and promised to bear all funeral needs. Even so, the apology does not answer the public's fundamental question: how could a crowd control vehicle take the life of a citizen who should be protected by the state? This incident clearly contradicts Article 28A of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, and violates the mandate of the Police Law. Ironically, the apparatus that should guarantee safety has instead become the cause of the loss of life.

Embers in Makassar: Heroism Amidst Fire and Neglect by Authorities

The fire that struck the Makassar Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) office on Friday night, August 29, 2025, killed four people: Syaiful Akbar, Muhammad Akbar Basri (Abay), Sarina Wati, and Budi. They died as a result of being trapped in the fire or in tragic rescue attempts. The most heartbreaking story came from Abay, a photographer for the DPRD, who had managed to save himself but chose to re-enter the building to help his colleague, Sarina. Both were eventually trapped in the blaze. Each victim leaves behind a sorrowful story. Sarina was the breadwinner of her family, while Abay was the beloved youngest child. The government responded by awarding posthumous honors. However, behind this, serious questions arise about the lax security. The arson, triggered by mass anger over the tragedy in Jakarta, should have been anticipated. The fact that a vital building like the DPRD was unguarded during a heated situation exposes a failure of security procedures that must be accounted for.

Yogyakarta Mourns: The Fall of a Student Amidst a Barrage of Tear Gas

Rheza Sendy Pratama (21), a student at Amikom University Yogyakarta, passed away while participating in a demonstration at the DIY Regional Police Headquarters on Sunday (8/31/2025). According to the DIY Student Executive Body (BEM) Forum, Rheza's motorcycle stalled during the chaotic situation. At the same time, officers fired tear gas, causing him to fall. His colleague managed to escape, while Rheza, who was lying on the ground, was approached by several police officers. The Student Executive Body of Amikom University Yogyakarta released an official statement:

“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our friend and comrade, Rheza Sendy Pratama (Communication Studies Program student, class of 2023, Amikom University Yogyakarta). The entire extended family of the BEM of Amikom University Yogyakarta expresses our deepest condolences.”

BEM Amikom emphasized that Rheza's death is not just a family tragedy, but a stark alarm for the state. Amikom University also urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of its student's death. This event should serve as an alarm for both the authorities and the government. Demonstrations are not a threat, but rather a part of the democratic process guaranteed by Article 28E paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution. The state is obligated to provide real protection for people who express their opinions on the streets. The deaths of Affan, Syaiful, Abay, Sarina, Budi, and Rheza are not just numbers in a tragedy statistic, but names that serve as a tragic reminder that democracy needs protection, not violence. Without a guarantee of safety, the noble right to speak will only become a silent path to the tombstone.