List of Intimidation Acts Targeting Indonesian Activists, Influencers in 2025
Criminalization of Peaceful Dissent
In 2025, Indonesia witnessed a concerning rise in the criminalization of activists and influencers who engaged in peaceful protests or expressed support for them online. Eight prominent activists—Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, Muzaffar Salim, Khariq Anhar, Syahdan Husein, Wawan Hermawan, Saiful Amin, Shelfin Bima Prakosa, and Muhammad ‘Paul’ Fakhrurrozi—faced arbitrary arrest and criminal charges. These charges, including accusations of "inciting violence" and "hate speech," were levied under articles of the Criminal Code and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. Many of these arrests were reportedly carried out without legal basis or official warrants, highlighting a pattern of using existing laws to stifle dissent rather than protect fundamental rights. This trend contributed to a broader, violent crackdown by Indonesian police on nationwide demonstrations that began in August 2025, underscoring a severe contraction of civic space.
The charges against these activists, which carry potential sentences of six to twelve years imprisonment, often stemmed from their mere expression of opinions, posting on social media in support of protests, sharing information about legal aid hotlines, or even creating satirical content. This broad application of laws against legitimate forms of expression paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by those who advocate for change or voice public concerns. The seizure of books, documents, and electronic devices from activists and civil society organizations further solidified this pattern of expanding criminalization and surveillance.
Widespread Arbitrary Arrests and Excessive Force
The crackdown on protests in 2025 was characterized by a staggering number of arbitrary arrests and the excessive use of force by security personnel. From August 25 to September 1, 2025, Indonesia experienced one of its largest waves of protests since the post-Reform era. Public anger, fueled by economic hardship and state budget policies perceived as neglectful, led to demonstrations in Jakarta and at least 15 other provinces. In response, Amnesty International documented that security forces employed unlawful force, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation against peaceful protesters. More than 4,000 individuals were arbitrarily arrested during this period. The violence extended to physical assaults, with over 560 people subjected to intimidation and physical violence, including beatings and injuries from rubber bullets. Additionally, more than 300 people were affected by the unnecessary and excessive use of tear gas and water cannons, leading to injuries and distress.
The Human Cost of Repression
The human cost of this repression was tragically evident, with at least 11 reported deaths since the protests began. These included university students, public employees, and a motorcycle taxi driver who was killed when an armored police vehicle ran him over in Jakarta. As of early October 2025, only the death of the motorcycle taxi driver was under police investigation, raising concerns about accountability for the lives lost during the crackdown. The disproportionate response by authorities, the arbitrary nature of many arrests, and the severe physical and emotional toll on protesters and activists clearly indicate a systematic effort to suppress dissent through intimidation and force.
Targeting of Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society
Beyond activists and influencers, human rights defenders and civil society organizations also found themselves increasingly targeted in 2025. Organizations like the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) faced direct surveillance and intimidation. In March 2025, KontraS's office in Jakarta was subjected to a series of suspicious activities, including repeated visits by unidentified motorcyclists, numerous missed calls from unknown numbers (one traced to a security intelligence official), and an attempted break-in. This harassment intensified as KontraS actively campaigned against proposed amendments to the TNI Law, which were drafted without adequate public consultation. The surveillance included CCTV footage of army vehicles driving by or stopping in front of their office, with military personnel photographing the premises.
Escalating Surveillance and Threats
The targeting extended to journalists as well, with concerns about press freedom rising due to a new regulation requiring foreign journalists to obtain police clearance and the ongoing harassment and attacks on journalists covering protests. Media outlets and journalists faced threats for their critical reporting. The government's import and deployment of intrusive spyware and surveillance technology, as revealed by research, further heightened concerns about the extent of monitoring against individuals and organizations. More than 100 human rights defenders were targeted in the first half of 2025, facing arrest, criminalization, intimidation, and physical attacks. This concerted effort to silence critics and undermine civil society organizations points to a deliberate strategy to shrink the space for independent voices and activism in Indonesia.
Legal Loopholes and Criminalization of Expression
Indonesia's legal framework, particularly vague provisions within the Criminal Code and the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, has been consistently exploited to silence critics and repress freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The ITE Law, often described as draconian, has been a primary tool for criminalizing online speech, even when intended as satire or for informational purposes. Article 160 of the Criminal Code, concerning incitement to violence, and Articles 28(3) and 45A(3) of the ITE Law, related to hate speech, have been broadly applied to activists protesting economic hardship or perceived governmental neglect. This legal ambiguity allows authorities to interpret legitimate activism as criminal behavior, thereby deterring public participation and dissent.
The Erosion of Civic Space
The systematic use of these legal instruments, coupled with the physical intimidation and arbitrary arrests detailed previously, demonstrates a clear pattern of regression in Indonesia's civic space. While the nation has made strides in democracy since the Reform era, the events of 2025 highlight persistent challenges in safeguarding fundamental human rights. The criminalization of peaceful protest and expression, the excessive force used by security forces, and the targeted harassment of activists and civil society members collectively create an environment of fear and silence, undermining the principles of a free and open society. The international community, including organizations like Amnesty International, continues to call for an end to this criminalization and for the upholding of rights to assembly and expression.
Digital Attacks and Information Control
While the provided snippets primarily focus on physical intimidation and legal actions, the mention of "using social media in support of recent protests" and the application of the ITE Law points to the digital arena as another front for suppression. Although specific details about digital attacks are not elaborated upon in the provided search results, it is a common tactic used in conjunction with physical repression. Influencers and activists often face online harassment, doxxing, or fabricated content designed to discredit them. Furthermore, the seizure of electronic devices suggests an effort to control information flow and gather intelligence on activist networks. The broader context of the ITE Law being used to curb expression indicates a government interest in managing online narratives, potentially through censorship or by creating an environment where individuals self-censor for fear of reprisal. This digital dimension of intimidation is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Indonesian activists and influencers.
A Call for Accountability and Rights Protection
The documented acts of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and excessive force against Indonesian activists and influencers in 2025 paint a stark picture of a deteriorating human rights landscape. The criminalization of peaceful dissent through the misuse of legal provisions, coupled with physical violence and digital suppression, demands urgent attention and a firm stance on accountability. The international community and domestic rights organizations continue to urge the Indonesian authorities to release all arbitrarily detained individuals, drop politically motivated charges, and end the systematic repression of peaceful dissent. Upholding the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is not merely a legal obligation but a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. The recurring pattern of repression suggests a systemic issue that requires not just individual case interventions but a fundamental commitment to safeguarding civic space and protecting the voices advocating for a more just and equitable Indonesia.