On 27 August 2026, the United Pati Community Alliance plans to hold a protest in Jakarta demanding heavy punishments for corruptions and the passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill RUU Perampasan Aset). The movement was formed in August 2025 in Pati, Central Java, in rejection of the local government’s tax policies and has now spread to the national level. The protest is expected to be joined by other groups who share the movement’s demands.
The movement has faced several instances of repression since its inception. In March 2026, the movement’s leader, Supriyono, also known as Botok, and one other activist were sentenced on charges of incitement. In the lead up to the protest on 27 August 2026, these forms of harassment have increased further. On 24 August 2026, the bus transporting movement members was attacked with bricks in an apparent attempt to intimidate activists traveling to Jakarta. In addition, the bank account containing donations to finance the protest was blocked by the bank at the request of government authorities and the movement’s leader Botok was allegedly arrested upon his arrival in Jakarta on 24 August. People claiming to represent the Betawi community, the indigenous tribe of Jakarta, further asked the Pati community not to come to Jakarta in masses, claiming they had been provoked to join the protest. Such statements have been criticized for creating conflict between the different ethnic groups.
The repression faced by the United Pati Community Alliance highlight ongoing restrictions on the right of citizens to express their concerns through mass protests. Among common repression tactics such as arrests and criminalization, the blocking of accounts has been criticized for its consequences on individual rights and civic space.