Indonesian students defy crackdown after deadly riots, demanding reform

Graffiti that reads "police are killers" is seen as community groups and university students stage a demonstration demanding an end to police brutality following recent protests, in Makassar on September 1, 2025. - AFP

JAKARTA: Hundreds of students gathered in major Indonesian cities on Monday (Sept 1), defying fears of a crackdown on protests after deadly riots on the weekend left eight dead in the worst violence in the South-East Asian nation in over two decades.

Protests began a week ago against the government's spending priorities, such as enhanced perks for lawmakers, and escalated into rioting and looting after a police vehicle hit and killed a motorcycle taxi driver.