YOGYAKARTA — Bentala Indra Nusantara Foundation (BINA) strongly condemns recent acts of provocation and assault against demonstration participants in Yogyakarta, including an incident on October 20, 2026. Reports indicate that the rally, which initially proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner, faced intimidation from outside groups with unclear motives who subsequently launched sporadic attacks on participants as they were dispersing.
In response to this situation, BINA urges law enforcement agencies and the Regional Government of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Pemprov DIY) to provide full safety guarantees for citizens—particularly students and community elements—in expressing their aspirations and concerns as part of their constitutional rights.
Executive Director of BINA, Muhammad Gufron Rum, emphasized that the freedom to express opinions in public is a core pillar of democracy that must be protected by the state.
"Students and citizens have the right to express their views and criticisms safely without fear. The government and law enforcement must ensure this right is protected, including when protesters encounter field dynamics or groups of people with differing views," Gufron stated.
Regarding the violent incident, BINA urges the police to promptly investigate the assault reports in a transparent, professional, and publicly accountable manner. According to Gufron, police firmness and transparency are key to maintaining public trust while closing space for similar violent acts from recurring in the future.
Preserving the Essence and Integrity of "Jaga Warga"
In addition to highlighting protection for protesters, BINA also pays serious attention to the emergence of mass groups on the ground acting under the name of "Jaga Warga".
Gufron recalled that the concept of Jaga Warga was fundamentally born as a noble instrument to maintain social order from within the community internally. This is consistently reflected in the evolution of regional regulations, from initial policies in 2015 to the latest Governor Regulation (Pergub) DIY No. 41 of 2023 concerning the Jaga Warga Group and Omah Jaga Warga. Under these regulations, Jaga Warga positions social conflict resolution, mediation, channel of aspirations, and environmental tranquility preservation as main components of its duties and functions.
"Jaga Warga was fundamentally conceived as a space for community deliberation—a wise forum for dialogue to preserve civic harmony. It is deeply ironic that such a noble idea has instead been misused as a tool to undermine democracy and instill fear within society," Gufron emphasized.
Although the Chief of DIY Regional Police, Inspector General Langgeng Purnomo, previously clarified that there was no official institutional involvement of Jaga Warga or clashes during the rally at the DIY Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on October 20, 2026, BINA considers that statement still needs deep follow-up to identify the origins of groups using the name or attributes on the ground.
Enforcing Institutional Evaluation and Identity Control
To address the potential misuse of identity in public spaces, BINA highlights the importance of concrete and responsive action from the DIY Regional Government and security forces. Clarity regarding identity, standing, and legal bases for any group acting under the name of Jaga Warga must become an integral part of field legal investigations. Beyond identity control, these steps must be complemented by comprehensive evaluations and continuous guidance regarding Jaga Warga's duties so that they remain within legal corridors and community values.
BINA warns that allowing the unauthorized use of the Jaga Warga name risks eroding public trust and disrupting the achievement of the social institution's noble goals in Yogyakarta society.
"The dignity of Jaga Warga must be saved through concrete actions aligned with its founding philosophy. The regional government and police must ensure the name of Jaga Warga continues to bring a sense of safety, reinforce harmony, and serve as a space where citizens find peaceful solutions to shared issues," Gufron emphasized.