Death of Indonesian Student, Among Others, Fuels Nationwide Protests Against State Violence

A Student’s Death Becomes a Symbol

The death of Rheza Sendy Pratama, a 21-year-old communication student from Amikom University Yogyakarta, has become a rallying point in Indonesia’s ongoing wave of protests. His passing, under circumstances still under investigation, is seen by many as a symbol of the alleged police brutality facing a generation demanding reform.

According to his father, Yoyon Surono, Rheza left home on the evening of 30 August, saying he was meeting a friend for coffee near Tugu Yogyakarta.

Police health officers took him to Dr. Sardjito Hospital hours later, where doctors declared him dead at 7 a.m. on 31 August.

When the family washed his body for burial, Yoyon said they found bruises across his torso, shoe tread marks on his abdomen, and a broken neck. “We have surrendered. Whatever happened, this is just a disaster,” he said, adding that the family refused an autopsy to avoid further delay in laying Rheza to rest.

University Calls for Answers

Amikom University leaders expressed grief and pressed authorities for clarity. Vice Rector Dr. Achmad Fauzi said the school would conduct its own inquiry. “Our hope is that the police can provide complete information to us. Even though this happened outside our control, we must investigate,” he stated.

The university’s Student Executive Board (BEM) also linked Rheza to the protests near Yogyakarta’s police headquarters. Chairman Alvito Afriansyah pointed to circulating footage of a motorcyclist fleeing tear gas, which classmates identified as Rheza. “From the motorcycle and confirmation from his classmate, we believe it was him,” Alvito said, urging “openness from various parties.”

An Investigation Under Scrutiny

The Yogyakarta Regional Police have launched an internal probe. Senior Commissioner Ihsan, the force’s spokesperson, said its internal affairs division (Propam) had questioned ten witnesses and pledged a “transparent and professional” process.

The hospital confirmed that Rheza arrived in critical condition on the morning of 31 August and doctors declared him dead after resuscitation attempts. Officials listed cardiac arrest as the cause but withheld the full medical report, citing legal constraints.

Anger Fuels Expanding Movement

His death has coincided with mass demonstrations across Indonesia, initially triggered by government plans to raise lawmakers’ benefits while cutting public services. The protests have since grown into wider demands for accountability, transparency, and an end to police and military violence against civilians.

Demonstrators are rallying behind the “17+8 Demands,” a manifesto that combines short-term and long-term calls for reform. Among them are demands for security forces to end brutality and withdraw from civilian life — demands that carry added weight after Rheza’s death.

Rising Toll and Rights Concerns

Human Rights Watch reports that at least 10 people have been killed since protests began in late August, with about 20 others missing and more than 3,000 detained. Their report provides evidence of a consistent pattern of excessive force, the widespread and improper use of tear gas being a prime example, aimed at silencing opposition.

The situation took a turn for the worse after a police armored vehicle ran over a gig motorcycle driver, a man named Affan Kurniawan. Onlookers recorded and shared the incident on the internet, unleashing rage all over the archipelago.

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HRW described the police reaction as typically imbalanced. “The security forces should not use unnecessary or excessive force against protesters,” they added, reminding the officials to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.

They issued a warning against President Prabowo’s decision to deploy the military, noting they are “even more likely to use wrongful force” in civilian settings.

A Nation at a Crossroads

The tragedy of Rheza Sendy Pratama is not an isolated incident. Since the protests began in late August, Indonesian authorities have cracked down on the population, detaining an estimated 3,000 people.

For many Indonesians, Rheza’s death is no longer just a family tragedy. It has become the face of a youth-driven movement demanding justice, dignity, and reform. The protests are continuing unabated as investigations are conducted, placing Indonesia at a crucial juncture.

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