The atmosphere grew increasingly tense after the incident in front of the Grahadi State Building on Friday (28/8/2025). Thousands of people remained gathered at several points, from Tunjungan Street to Pemuda Street, despite security forces’ efforts to disperse the crowd.

Observations at the location showed many protesters choosing to sit on the sidewalks while waiting for the situation to develop. However, tension remained palpable. The pungent smell of tear gas still lingered around Grahadi, remnants of earlier attempts by authorities to disperse the crowd. Rows of barbed wire were also stretched across main roads to restrict movement.

Combined TNI-Polri security forces were seen maintaining a strong presence with tactical vehicles parked not far from Grahadi. Media crews were only permitted to take photographs from a certain distance for safety reasons.

There was a back-and-forth between security forces and protesters. Some crowd members attempted to push forward to Governor Suryo Street, prompting police to fire tear gas again. The unrest reached its peak when several motorcycles parked near the Grahadi fence were burned using Molotov cocktails.

One victim was Erwin, a staff member of the East Java Provincial Government’s Administration and Information Office (Adpim). His 2006 Jupiter motorcycle was completely consumed by flames.

“I could only surrender. I wanted to go out and save my motorcycle, but the crowd was too aggressive. They threw Molotov cocktails toward Grahadi. For me, this is a disaster,” Erwin stated after the incident.

According to him, the motorcycle was used daily as an official vehicle to accompany the activities of East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

Before the unrest broke out, the crowd initially gathered at Apsari Park, then moved toward the main gate of Grahadi. Dressed in all black, some wearing online motorcycle taxi (ojol) jackets, they immediately blockaded Governor Suryo Street while shouting demands. Shortly afterward, stone throwing toward the building’s fence began.

Security forces stationed in front of the gate with shields and tactical vehicles repeatedly warned the crowd against anarchic behavior.

“Stop throwing things!” shouted a police officer through a loudspeaker.

By evening, some road sections had been reopened. However, access to Grahadi remained tightly guarded as the situation was still not fully conducive.

Grahadi State Building

The Grahadi State Building is the official residence and office of the Governor of East Java, located in Surabaya, Indonesia. Originally constructed in the late 18th century during the Dutch colonial era, it served as the residence for high-ranking colonial officials. Today, it is a significant government building and a historical landmark known for its Dutch-influenced architecture.

Tunjungan Street

Tunjungan Street is a historic commercial thoroughfare in Surabaya, Indonesia, dating back to the Dutch colonial era. It is renowned for its iconic art deco architecture, including the famous Tunjungan Plaza, and has long been a central hub for business and shopping. Today, it stands as a vibrant symbol of the city’s economic and cultural development.

Pemuda Street

Pemuda Street is a major thoroughfare in Surabaya, Indonesia, historically significant as a key location during the 1945 Battle of Surabaya. It is named to honor the Indonesian youth (pemuda) who played a vital role in the nation’s struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule. Today, it is a bustling commercial and business district that serves as a modern symbol of the city’s resilience and progress.

Governor Suryo Street

Governor Suryo Street is a major thoroughfare in Surabaya, Indonesia, named after Governor Raden Mas Tumenggung Ario Suryo, the first governor of East Java following the nation’s independence. The street honors his legacy as a national hero who played a pivotal role in the 1945 Battle of Surabaya against Allied forces. Today, it is a bustling commercial and administrative hub in the city center.

Apsari Park

Apsari Park is a public park located in the city of Gyumri, Armenia, known for its central statue of a woman, symbolizing the “Apsaras” (celestial nymphs) of Armenian mythology. It was historically a central gathering place in the city and was significantly renovated after the devastating 1988 earthquake to restore its role in the community. Today, it remains a popular spot for relaxation and cultural events.

East Java Provincial Government’s Administration and Information Office

The East Java Provincial Government’s Administration and Information Office is a modern government building in Surabaya that serves as a central hub for public services and the dissemination of official information. While the building itself is a contemporary structure, it represents the provincial government’s ongoing administrative functions that have evolved since the formation of East Java as a province in the Republic of Indonesia.

Grahadi fence

The Grahadi fence is a historical landmark in Surabaya, Indonesia, originally built in the 18th century as part of the Grahadi State Building, the official residence of the Governor of East Java. It is most famous as the site where Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, gave a pivotal speech in 1945, urging the people to resist the return of Dutch colonial forces. Today, it stands as a monument to the nation’s struggle for independence.

Grahadi

Grahadi is a historic colonial-era building in Surabaya, Indonesia, which now serves as the official residence and office of the Governor of East Java. It was constructed in the late 18th century by the Dutch colonial government and originally functioned as the residence for high-ranking Dutch officials. The building is a significant landmark, reflecting the city’s colonial past and its continued importance in modern Indonesian governance.