Hundreds of Indonesians gathered outside the Parliament building in Jakarta on August 27 to call for stronger measures against corruption, including the imposition of the death penalty for convicted graft offenders and the seizure of their assets.

The demonstration was organized by the United Pati People’s Alliance (AMPB), a group based in Pati regency, Central Java, that gained prominence in 2025 after leading protests against a proposed steep hike in local land and building taxes. The protests had culminated in the arrest of regent Sudewo on separate corruption charges.

At the core of the rally was a push for the passage of the long-discussed Asset Forfeiture Bill, legislation that aims to confiscate the proceeds of corrupt activities. Although the government submitted a draft of the bill to Parliament in May 2023, lawmakers failed to pass it before the end of their term last year. The bill has since been revived, with lawmakers stating their intention to pass it by December.

Participants carried banners with slogans such as “The people unite against corruption” and “Fight corruptors.” Approximately 500 attendees traveled from Pati, with supporters from other regions also joining the protest.

Among the demonstrators was 65-year-old housewife Rostinah, who expressed frustration at the growing wealth gap between corrupt officials and ordinary citizens. “Corruptors are getting richer while the people are getting poorer,” she said outside Parliament, adding that those involved in graft should be stripped of their illicit wealth.

Tensions escalated ahead of the protest when police requested Bank Mandiri, a state-controlled financial institution, to temporarily freeze an account belonging to AMPB coordinator Supriyono, locally known as Botok. The account contained around 80.9 million rupiah (approximately S$5,800) in public donations intended to cover logistical costs for the protest. The freeze sparked criticism from civil society groups, who warned that restricting access to the funds could impede the right to peaceful assembly. Bank Mandiri later restored access and issued an apology.

During the protest, Supriyono acknowledged the support of motorcycle taxi drivers who transported demonstrators and emphasized that the fight against corruption extended beyond Pati. Mid-morning, he and other AMPB representatives met with Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and several lawmakers inside Parliament. Supriyono pressed for a definitive date to enact the Asset Forfeiture Bill, warning that if the legislation were delayed again, parliamentary leaders should take responsibility, including the possibility of resignations.

While most AMPB protesters left by midday, other groups remained or arrived to voice concerns on broader issues such as employment, the cost of living, and government spending. Among these was motorcycle taxi driver Irfan Setiawan, who supported the death penalty for corrupt officials. Students from the People’s Accountability Movement also joined, calling for a “people’s tribunal” to hold the Prabowo administration accountable, as well as suspending two government programs: the free nutrition meals initiative (MBG) and a nationwide network of village cooperatives aimed at rural revitalization. Student activist Adelia criticized the MBG program, blaming it for incidents of food poisoning and arguing for increased spending on education.

In response to the demonstrations, authorities deployed more than 18,500 police officers across Parliament and other sites in Central Jakarta. This heightened security posture comes nearly a year after a series of protests in August and September 2025, some of which turned violent in Jakarta and other major cities.