Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto pledged state protection for peaceful demonstrators while condemning violent acts and signaling openness to an independent investigation into protest-related deaths from mass rallies that turned violent late last month.

Speaking to reporters at his Hambalang residence on Saturday, Prabowo said the government would not tolerate the criminalization of peaceful protesters, stressing that freedom of expression is guaranteed under national law and international conventions. At the same time, he warned that security forces would act firmly against rioters involved in arson and the destruction of public facilities.

“There is no justification for violence, no justification for burning. Burning down public facilities or legislative buildings is a serious threat that cannot be tolerated,” Prabowo said. He added that such actions not only break the law but also endanger lives and waste public funds, since the damaged buildings were constructed with taxpayers’ money.

Prabowo argued that those responsible for arson “do not truly love the country or the people,” accusing them of trying to sow discord between citizens and their leaders for unclear motives.

Despite acknowledging attempts to destabilize the nation, Prabowo voiced confidence that Indonesia could overcome the current turmoil. He urged citizens to revive neighborhood watch traditions to help deter provocateurs and maintain safety. “If there are outsiders trying to incite unrest, report them immediately, or if necessary, block and drive them away,” he said.

Prabowo acknowledged mounting public demands, including the so-called “17+8” agenda led by student groups and civil society. Among the protesters’ calls are the withdrawal of the military from civilian security roles, an end to the criminalization of demonstrators, and the establishment of an independent commission to investigate violence, including the death of Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver killed after being run over by a police vehicle.

On the proposal for an independent probe, Prabowo said: “I think this is reasonable. We can discuss it and see what form it takes.”

However, he pushed back against demands to remove the military from civilian security duties, arguing that the armed forces play a vital role in protecting citizens from threats ranging from terrorism to riots. “That’s debatable. The Indonesian Military’s task is to protect the people from any threat, including unrest,” he said.

Prabowo concluded by saying any steps the government takes to address public grievances would adhere to the 1945 Constitution.

Nationwide protests over inequality rocked Indonesia from Aug. 25 to 30, escalating after Affan’s death on Aug. 28. The unrest turned violent, with some lawmakers, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, having their homes looted. The protests were triggered by anger over lavish parliamentary perks and worsened by allegations of police brutality. At least 10 people, including students, have died in the unrest within eight days since the demonstrations began.

Several lawmakers accused of making tone-deaf remarks about the protests have since been removed from their seats. Sri herself was replaced in a cabinet reshuffle on Monday. Head of the Deposit Insurance Agency (LPS), Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, was appointed as her successor.

Meanwhile, the police internal affairs unit has named seven Mobile Brigade officers as suspects in Affan’s death. All were inside the tactical vehicle that fatally struck him. They are now in 20-day special detention for violating the police code of ethics. T