Mass protests continue across Indonesia, triggered by public outrage over controversial parliamentary perks and further intensified by the death of a 21-year-old delivery rider during a demonstration in Jakarta. Since 25 August 2025, at least 6 people have died, with reports of arson, looting, and violence across multiple cities. The unrest has now spread from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Semarang, Medan, and several suburban areas outside the capital.
In Jakarta, key areas affected include Senayan (central district of Jakarta at the border of Central, South, and West Jakarta, home to Parliament, major ministries, and police headquarters), SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District, adjacent to South Jakarta and the city’s main commercial hub), plus nearby Sudirman and Thamrin, Jakarta’s main business and transport hubs. Over the weekend, unverified but widely shared local reports indicated that protests had spilled into suburban neighbourhoods, with incidents of plundering reported.
There have been no official announcements from the government or city authorities in Jakarta. The information we are receiving is not from official government sources, but rather from local networks and news reports. These sources are consistently warning people to avoid the Senayan area, which borders Central, West, and South Jakarta and lies adjacent to key business districts including SCBD.
Multiple online posts were shared locally warning of mass demonstrations scheduled in the Senayan area from 1–5 September 2025, with participants reportedly coming from various regions. While these warnings are not confirmed through official channels, many companies have chosen to act out of caution and are advising employees to work from home. Schools, including British School Jakarta, have moved to online learning. Assignees should follow their children’s respective school guidance regarding online learning measures.
We strongly advise all assignees to work from home until further notice. Office access may be restricted or discouraged in affected areas, especially within SCBD.
Delays are expected for services such as banking, internet installation and administrative processes within residential buildings, where building management offices may be closed.
Access to public transport hubs, including bus and train stations, may be disrupted due to roadblocks and crowd control. Those travelling to the airport or re-entering Jakarta should allow extra time and check for local advisories or detours.
Businesses we are aware of have instructed their employees to work from home but are announcing this on a day-by-day basis. If conditions stabilise, they may resume office operations. We are currently following a similar approach. Employers may issue separate guidance regarding remote work or pending services, which could differ from ours.
We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as more verified information becomes available. Our team is available to provide virtual support during this period. Please contact us directly if you require assistance.
