Jakarta – A number of inter-band musicians and people's movement networks have declared their solidarity with the pro-democracy activists who are still being detained by police, four of which are Delpedro Marhaen, Syahdan Husein, Muzaffar Salim and Khariq Anhar. They were detained because they were deemed to have committed "incitement" during the demonstration last August.
The musicians present included Manson (MENTHOSA), Cholil Mahmud (Greenhouse Effect), Eka Annash (The Brandal), and Delpi (Dongker). In addition to this, also present was the Labour Movement with the People (GEBRAK) and a number of other civil society networks. A total of around 30 people came to act as guarantors as well as show moral support for the detainees.
"We came not only as musicians, but as concerned citizens. They were detained only because they conveyed society's aspirations, something guaranteed by the Constitution", said Mahmud when delivering a joint statement.
Political Prisoners Union formed
During the solidarity visit, the musicians and activists also met directly with the prisoners. It is known that Marhaen has entered his 37th day of detention and is awaiting the pre-trial process. Meanwhile Hussein, Salim and Anhar are detained in separate blocks.
From behind bars, the prisoners also announced that on October 5 they formed the Indonesian Political Prisoners Union (Serikat Tahanan Politik, STP). The union, which is led by Hussein, aims to fight for the fulfilment of prisoners' basic and political rights as well as encouraging the formation of similar unions in all regions in Indonesia.
"Before there was a union, it was difficult to obtain their political rights. After uniting and voicing their common needs, there was a response. This collective awareness is important to strengthen the position of political prisoners throughout Indonesia", said Mahmud.
Civil freedoms under threat
According to records received by the Pedeo Project, from the wave of protests on August 25 until the end of August, at least 900 or more people were arrested by the police in various regions.
Mahmud and other activists believe that this trend shows increasing repression of freedom of expression in Indonesia. They also expressed concerns over the use of digital technology by authorities to carry out tracking and arrests based on citizens' devices and personal accounts.
"There was a comrade who came to visit in solidarity, but instead they were arrested. This indicates that digital technology is being used to vet anyone who is deemed to have different views from the government. This violates privacy and human rights", stressed Mahmud.
Call for solidarity with prisoners
Based on these notes, the coalition of musicians and civil society activists hereby submit the following demands for the government to:
1. Immediately release all detained pro-democracy activists, including Delpedro, Hussein, Anhar and Salim, without conditions.
2. Stop the criminalisation and digital surveillance of citizens who express their opinions.
3. Respect and fulfil prisoners' basic and political rights including freedom of association in prison.
4. In addition to this, public is also being asked to continue to show solidarity with the detained activists.
"The comrades inside really need moral support from outside. The more public solidarity, the greater the hope of freeing them", Mahmud reiterated.
The musicians emphasised that efforts to suppress and criminalise freedom of expression will only raise public fear, but that solidarity that continues to grow will become a new force of resistance.
"The government may try to frighten [people], but the people's courage must be greater. Only by uniting and continuing to discuss, can we fight this fear and fight for freedom together", concluded Mahmud in reading the joint statement.
October 6, 2025
Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Solidaritas Musisi Jadi Penjamin Penahanan Delpedro Dkk, Serukan Bebaskan Seluruh Tahanan Politik".]
