Through the Lens: Indonesia’s violent protests
A selection of striking photos from across Asia
SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
A wave of protests has swept across Indonesia, leaving at least seven people dead and causing widespread damage to government facilities, including police headquarters and legislative offices.
Observers say the violent unrest reflects mounting frustration over economic hardship, coupled with public anger at perceived government insensitivity and President Prabowo Subianto’s failure to implement policies that benefit ordinary citizens.
Here’s a look at the protests and some scenes from the streets.
Aug. 25
On Aug. 25, riot police form a wall against demonstrators angry at exorbitant allowances for lawmakers, outside Indonesia’s parliament, in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Aug. 25, riot police form a wall against demonstrators angry at exorbitant allowances for lawmakers, outside Indonesia’s parliament, in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
A man walks past graffiti during a protest outside parliament in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
A man walks past graffiti during a protest outside parliament in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
Aug. 28
On Aug. 28, a demonstrator hurls a bamboo flagpole toward riot police outside parliament. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Aug. 28, a demonstrator hurls a bamboo flagpole toward riot police outside parliament. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
A man is pressed to the ground by police officers during a clash outside parliament. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
A man is pressed to the ground by police officers during a clash outside parliament. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
Demonstrators in a clash with riot police outside parliament (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
Demonstrators in a clash with riot police outside parliament (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
University students show up in numbers outside parliament. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
University students show up in numbers outside parliament. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
Laborers display posters – and one flies a “One Piece” Jolly Roger flag – during an anti-government protest in Surabaya. The Japanese manga’s main characters fight corrupt authorities, a theme that appears to be resonating with Indonesia’s protesters. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
Laborers display posters – and one flies a “One Piece” Jolly Roger flag – during an anti-government protest in Surabaya. The Japanese manga’s main characters fight corrupt authorities, a theme that appears to be resonating with Indonesia’s protesters. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
A woman strikes a shield with a bamboo rod as police push back against students in Jakarta. Pink and green have become symbols of solidarity among protesters. (Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Jiji)
A woman strikes a shield with a bamboo rod as police push back against students in Jakarta. Pink and green have become symbols of solidarity among protesters. (Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Jiji)
Aug. 29
On Aug. 29, a demonstrator carrying an Indonesian flag stands near burning tires outside the headquarters of the Jakarta Mobile Brigade. Protests widened after a motorcycle taxi driver died from being struck and run over by a police tactical vehicle a day earlier. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Aug. 29, a demonstrator carrying an Indonesian flag stands near burning tires outside the headquarters of the Jakarta Mobile Brigade. Protests widened after a motorcycle taxi driver died from being struck and run over by a police tactical vehicle a day earlier. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
Following the death of the motorcycle taxi driver, protesters throw stones at riot police in Jakarta. (Photo by Achmad Ibrahim/AP)
Following the death of the motorcycle taxi driver, protesters throw stones at riot police in Jakarta. (Photo by Achmad Ibrahim/AP)
A demonstration unfolds in front of the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters in Jakarta. The students and other members of the general public present at the protest were demanding justice for the motorcycle taxi driver. (Photo by Claudio Pramana/Getty Images)
A demonstration unfolds in front of the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters in Jakarta. The students and other members of the general public present at the protest were demanding justice for the motorcycle taxi driver. (Photo by Claudio Pramana/Getty Images)
In Malang, East Java, Indonesia, hundreds of gig worker motorcycle drivers demonstrate their solidarity with their colleague who was killed. (Photo by Aman Rochman/Getty Images)
In Malang, East Java, Indonesia, hundreds of gig worker motorcycle drivers demonstrate their solidarity with their colleague who was killed. (Photo by Aman Rochman/Getty Images)
Vehicles burn during a protest at police headquarters in Yogyakarta. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Vehicles burn during a protest at police headquarters in Yogyakarta. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
A crowd demonstrates in front of the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters in Jakarta. (Photo by Claudio Pramana/Getty Images)
A crowd demonstrates in front of the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters in Jakarta. (Photo by Claudio Pramana/Getty Images)
Aug. 30
On Aug. 30, protesters gather near a burning building on the grounds of the regional parliament in Makassar, South Sulawesi province. (Photo by Iqbal Lubis/Reuters)
On Aug. 30, protesters gather near a burning building on the grounds of the regional parliament in Makassar, South Sulawesi province. (Photo by Iqbal Lubis/Reuters)
A woman walks past a damaged vehicle at East Jakarta's police headquarters. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
A woman walks past a damaged vehicle at East Jakarta's police headquarters. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
Military personnel walk after being deployed to secure a street following violent protests in Jakarta. (Photo by Dita Alangkara/AP)
Military personnel walk after being deployed to secure a street following violent protests in Jakarta. (Photo by Dita Alangkara/AP)
People pass through burned cars during riots near East Jakarta Police Station. (Photo by Claudio Pramana/Getty Images)
People pass through burned cars during riots near East Jakarta Police Station. (Photo by Claudio Pramana/Getty Images)
A protester holds a poster of President Prabowo Subianto, in Surabaya. (Photo by Suryanto Suryanto/Anadolu/Getty Images)
A protester holds a poster of President Prabowo Subianto, in Surabaya. (Photo by Suryanto Suryanto/Anadolu/Getty Images)
September
On Sept. 1, armed military troops attend an anti-riot practice at the National Monument complex in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Sept. 1, armed military troops attend an anti-riot practice at the National Monument complex in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Sept. 2, a municipality worker cleans debris after a fire at a bus stop in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Sept. 2, a municipality worker cleans debris after a fire at a bus stop in Jakarta. (Photo by Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)
On Sept. 3, a TV screen shows Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arriving for a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing. (Photo by Florence Lo/Reuters)
On Sept. 3, a TV screen shows Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arriving for a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing. (Photo by Florence Lo/Reuters)
An activist holds a pink poster during a rally in Jakarta. (Photo by Dita Alangkara/AP)
An activist holds a pink poster during a rally in Jakarta. (Photo by Dita Alangkara/AP)
An activist at a rally in Jakarta sprinkles flowers on photos of people who have been killed during the protests. (Photo by Dita Alangkara/AP)
An activist at a rally in Jakarta sprinkles flowers on photos of people who have been killed during the protests. (Photo by Dita Alangkara/AP)
A motorcycle taxi driver and police officer hug each other during a peace rally in Jakarta. (Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Jiji)
A motorcycle taxi driver and police officer hug each other during a peace rally in Jakarta. (Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Jiji)