Law Enforcement Against Anarchist Protesters And Looting In Indonesia

Law enforcement against anarchist demonstrations and looting in Indonesia is a crucial issue in maintaining public order and strengthening the principle of the rule of law. Demonstrations are constitutionally recognized as the citizens’ right guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia as a form of freedom of expression. However, when demonstrations escalate into anarchist actions, including destruction of public facilities, violence against law enforcement officers or civilians, and looting of private property, they can no longer be regarded as democratic expression but rather as criminal acts. This study aims to examine the form and mechanism of law enforcement against anarchist demonstrators and looters in Indonesia by analyzing the legal framework, the implementation by law enforcement agencies, and the obstacles encountered in practice. The research method applied is a normative juridical approach through the analysis of statutory regulations, court decisions, legal doctrines, and relevant literature. The findings indicate that although the regulatory framework is relatively comprehensive, law enforcement continues to face significant challenges, such as limited infrastructure and resources, potential human rights violations in handling mass actions, and political or social pressures. Therefore, the enforcement of law must be conducted in a proportional, transparent, and accountable manner to ensure deterrence for offenders without disregarding the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights. This study underlines the importance of collaboration among law enforcement institutions, government, and civil society in realizing fair, effective, and socially just law enforcement against anarchist actions and looting.