Makassar. The South Sulawesi Regional Police have named 29 suspects in connection with the riots and arson at the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) office in Makassar City and the South Sulawesi Provincial DPRD.

Previously, police had only identified 11 suspects. After further investigation, the total number of suspects from the violent demonstration increased to 29.

Head of Public Relations for the South Sulawesi Police, Didik Supranoto, said the 29 suspects came from various backgrounds, including university students, school students, laborers, parking attendants, and sanitation workers. Some suspects were even minors and unemployed individuals.

“In total, we have named 29 people as suspects. The case handling is divided into two: some are handled by the Directorate of General Crime of the South Sulawesi Police, while the Makassar Metropolitan Police handle the others,” he said on Thursday.

Records show that 14 suspects in the burning of the South Sulawesi parliament building consisted of 13 adults and one minor. Meanwhile, 15 suspects in the riots at the Makassar parliament building included 10 adults and five minors.

During the investigation, police also confiscated several looted items, including chairs, refrigerators, fans, shoes, and motorcycles, as well as some cell phones and flash drives containing riot video recordings.

The identities of many suspects were uncovered through social media live streams. One university student was even suspected of spreading calls for demonstrations and incitement via TikTok.

The riots that occurred last week resulted in vandalism, arson, and looting. Two DPRD buildings -- on Jalan Andi Pangerang Pettarani (Makassar) and Jalan Urip Sumoharjo (South Sulawesi) -- were targeted. The incident not only caused significant material losses but also claimed lives.

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