TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Human rights organization Lokataru Foundation reported that as many as 200 protesters have been detained throughout May. The arrests took place during numerous rallies across the country, from Java to Maluku.
According to Lokataru Foundation researcher, Avicenna, the series of arrest started at the beginning of May, during a number of Labor Day protests, after the rallies ended in chaos.
"First arrest occurred during May Day protests in Jakarta, Semarang, and Bandung," said Avicenna in a phone call on Monday, May 26, 2025.
In Jakarta, the Jakarta Metro Police arrested a total of 58 May Day protesters, while 4 were arrested in Bandung and 24 in Semarang.
"From that number, more than 20 protesters have been designated as suspects," said Avicenna.
Still in Jakarta, 12 students were arbitrarily arrested during a protest calling for the impeachment of Vice President Gibran in front of the parliamentary building. Organized by the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Jakarta Muhammadiyah University, 3 of those apprehended later became suspects.
A similar situation occurred in East Halmahera, North Maluku, on May 17, 2025. According to Avicenna, about 30 local residents who were staging a protest against mining activities were suddenly arrested without a clear legal basis. "And 11 people were named suspects," he said.
The latest arrests occurred on May 21, when Trisakti University students took to the streets to commemorate 27 years of Reformation. At that time, the Jakarta Metro Police arrested a total of 93 protesters, with 16 of them later designated as suspects
Avicenna predicts that the number is likely to grow, considering the possibility of other protests occurring at the tail end of May, which could end in arbitrary arrests.
"It's worth noting that this record only scratches the surface of how many violations of freedom of expression have occurred throughout May 2025," said Avicenna.
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