Since October 2024 when Prabowo Subianto assumed the Indonesian presidency, there have been a number of debates around civil liberties, activism, and public dissent in the country. Indonesia maintains its stance as a democratic state with open political discourse. Still, there have been widely reported incidents that have resulted in the deaths of activists, whistleblowers, and protesters, in addition to the intimidation of journalists, which have combined to raise concerns among civil society organisations and human-rights observers.

Although not all cases are proven to be politically motivated, authorities often attribute them to random criminal acts or accidents. However, the timing and circumstances surrounding several incidents have led families, activists, and watchdog groups to question whether the victim’s vocal criticism of powerful political interests could be behind such deaths.

Rising pressure

Personal safety in Indonesia for activists and journalists remains a challenging issue, particularly for those involved in environmental issues, corruption investigations, and labour disputes - the sectors that frequently intersect with political and economic interests.

Under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, critics argue that the political environment has grown more tense. So much so that it is now at the point of a new order era. As the government pushes ambitious projects focusing on infrastructure development, and economic growth, these have triggered conflicts over land rights, environmental impacts, and transparency of governance.

Such conflicts are placing activists and whistleblowers at risk. As a result, several recent deaths have attracted attention, particularly those involving individuals who had recently spoken publicly about corruption or environmental issues.

Ermanto Usman

Of late, the most well known case that has sparked national discussion is the death of Ermanto Usman, an anti-corruption activist and retired port worker.

Usman had gained attention for speaking out about alleged irregularities and corruption in operations connected to Jakarta’s container terminal, Kumparan reports. He was well known among labour groups and maritime observers as having participated in public discussions which led to media appearances where he raised questions about transparency in port management.

On March 2, Usman was attacked in his home by unknown individuals who broke into the residence and assaulted him and his wife. Usman later died from his injuries, while his wife was left seriously wounded.

The assault was seen as 'suspicious' because Usman had recently spoken about corruption issues in the port sector on a podcast and in labour discussions. Family members also claimed he had previously experienced intimidation after acting as a whistleblower over port-related corruption.

Investigators have yet to confirm a political motive, but civil society groups have already called for a transparent and thorough investigation. They argue that the case involves a potential whistleblower whose safety may have been compromised.

Vian Ruma

Another case that alarmed environmental groups was the death of a young environmental activist from Flores, Vian Ruma. Ruma had been actively campaigning against a geothermal energy project in the region. Local activists argued that the project threatened agricultural land and local ecosystems. Developers meanwhile maintained that it would provide renewable energy and economic benefits to the region.

In 2025, Ruma was found dead under circumstances that local activists have since described as suspicious. The incident occurred after he had taken part in protests and advocacy efforts opposing the geothermal project. As a result, advocacy groups quickly demanded an independent investigation, citing the broader pattern of threats faced by environmental activists involved in disputes over natural resources such as geothermal development. While the exact cause of Ruma’s death has not been definitively linked to his activism, the timing and context triggered concern among human-rights organisations that environmental defenders remain vulnerable to assault and even murder.

Beyond suspicious deaths, several cases of intimidation targeting journalists have raised alarms about press freedom. One of the most widely reported cases involved journalists at the Indonesian magazine Tempo, which has a long history of investigative reporting.

After publishing critical coverage of political issues, the newsroom reportedly received packages containing a pig’s head and later decapitated rats. Press freedom organisations condemned the incidents and urged authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Political motive grey areas

A key difficulty in addressing cases involving activist deaths, however, is establishing a clear motive. In politically sensitive contexts, criminal acts such as robbery, personal disputes, or accidents can sometimes appear suspicious. To this end, the absence of definitive conclusions in several cases has only contributed to public scepticism, particularly when victims were known critics of powerful institutions or industries.

Taken together in the Indonesia of 2026, the deaths of figures such as Ermanto Usman, Vian Ruma, and others, along with intimidation incidents targeting journalists, highlight a broader issue: the vulnerability of individuals who challenge political, corporate, or institutional power.

And such cases serve to highlight the importance of transparency, accountability, and protection for activists and whistleblowers. For Indonesia as a country that has made significant democratic strides over the past two decades, the ability of citizens to speak out without fear remains an ongoing test of its political institutions.