On August 31, 2025, President of the Republic of Indonesia delivered a statement at the Merdeka Palace after meeting with political party leaders and heads of state institutions. In his address, the President conveyed messages on national priorities and the country’s direction going forward. Below is a six-point summary of his statement.

1. Freedom of Expression and Legal Boundaries
The government respects the right of the people to convey their aspirations peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and international agreements.

However, anarchic actions such as looting, burning public facilities, vandalism, or acts that endanger lives are considered violations of the law. The state is obliged to be present to protect the people and act against such violations.

"We respect freedom of expression as regulated in the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Article 19 and Law Number 9 of 1998, that the delivery of aspirations can be carried out peacefully. However, if in its implementation there are activities that are anarchic, destabilize the state, damage or burn public facilities, cause casualties, threaten and loot houses, public institutions, or private homes, these are violations of the law, and the state must be present and protect its people."

2. Legal Process for Security Forces
Police officers suspected of wrongdoing during demonstrations are under transparent investigation. The President emphasized that the results of the investigation will be announced publicly, and firm sanctions will be applied if proven guilty.

"Regarding officers who committed mistakes or violations yesterday, the Indonesian National Police has already carried out the examination process. I have requested this be conducted quickly, transparently, and in a manner open to the public."

3. Steps by Parliament and Political Parties
Leaders of political parties are also taking firm action by deactivating members of the House of Representatives (DPR) who issued misleading statements, effective 1 September 2025.

The President emphasized that the DPR must be more sensitive and stand on the side of the people’s interests.

"Then the leadership of the DPR conveyed that several DPR RI policies would be revoked, including the amount of allowances for members of the DPR and also a moratorium on overseas work visits. The firm steps taken by the chairmen of political parties are that they will each be revoked from their membership in the DPR RI. And also the leadership of the DPR has spoken, and the chairmen of the parties have conveyed through their respective faction leaders that members of the DPR must always be sensitive and always side with the interests of the people."

4. Directives to Security Apparatus
 The President ordered the National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to take the firmest action against looting, vandalism, and other violations of the law.

He reminded that there are signs of activities leading to subversion and terrorism, and therefore security forces are instructed to safeguard stability firmly in accordance with the law.

"Once again, pure aspirations that wish to be conveyed must be respected. The right to peaceful assembly must be respected and protected. However, we cannot deny that there are already signs of unlawful actions, even actions against the law, some even leading to subversion and terrorism.

To the police and TNI, I order to take the firmest possible action against all forms of damage to public facilities, looting of individual houses, public places, or economic centers, in accordance with the prevailing laws.

To all the people, please deliver aspirations and demands properly and peacefully. We assure you they will be heard, recorded, and followed up."

5. Open Dialogue with the Public
 The President asked the leadership of the DPR to invite community leaders, academics, and students to convey aspirations directly through dialogue.

Ministries and institutions were also instructed to accept criticism, corrections, and suggestions for improvement from community groups.

"I will also ask the leadership of the DPR to directly invite community leaders, student leaders, and leaders from groups who wish to convey their aspirations, so that they can be well received and directly engage in dialogue.

To the government, I also instruct all ministries and institutions to accept delegations from groups wishing to convey corrections, criticism, and improvements to the state and governance."

6. Appeal for Unity and Mutual Cooperation
 The President called on the public to remain calm, not be provoked, and to express aspirations peacefully.

He reminded that there may be interference from groups who do not wish to see Indonesia progress and prosper.

The statement closed with a call to safeguard national unity, improve shortcomings together, and revive the spirit of gotong royong as a legacy of the nation.

"We must be vigilant against interference from groups that do not want Indonesia to prosper, do not want Indonesia to rise. Let us together correct all shortcomings in our government and our state. Once again, our spirit from our ancestors is mutual cooperation. Let us work together to protect our environment, the safety of our families, and our homeland. We are always being interfered with, always pitted against each other. Let us not continue to be divided."