Thousands of Martial Artists Disperse in Surabaya After Confrontation with Security Forces

Thousands of martial artists from the PSHT group, who had initially attempted to force their way towards a debt collector's office on Jalan Teuku Umar in Surabaya, eventually dispersed on Friday (31/7) evening. The situation at the scene reportedly returned to conducive after a period of tension with joint security forces from the TNI and Polri. Surabaya Police Chief Kombes Pol Luthfie Sulistiawan stated that the security process for the action proceeded smoothly until the crowd dispersed. "The core issue was that the [protesting] friends were seeking clarification on the legal process against the perpetrators of the stabbing incident," Luthfie said at the location. He emphasized that the legal process against the debt collector perpetrators of the stabbing incident, which triggered the protest, is ongoing. One suspect is reportedly still being pursued by officers. "I have conveyed that we are conducting the legal process professionally. We are processing the perpetrators who are proven to have committed the stabbing crime. And indeed, there is still one perpetrator whom we are currently searching for," he said. Luthfie also requested assistance from the public, asking anyone with information to report it to the police so that immediate action can be taken. He assured that there would be no differential treatment in the legal process for victims or perpetrators in this case. "The core is that we assure there is no difference in treatment for all Surabaya citizens, especially victims who have the right to know the progress of law enforcement. We have conveyed and assured that the Surabaya Police are committed to professional law enforcement," he stated. Regarding the brief scuffle at the location, Luthfie described it as a mere "miscommunication" among the protesters and confirmed no injuries occurred. "Ah, that's normal, there are youngsters, but we have conveyed it was just miscommunication. No, no. No injuries," he said. When asked about reports of a TNI member being injured, Luthfie denied it, stating it was a simple fall. "No, it was just a fall," he said. Luthfie did not rule out the possibility of additional suspects in the stabbing case, given that one perpetrator is still at large. "Oh yes, we are still looking for the one on the wanted list. Okay," he concluded. Previously, thousands of PSHT martial artists attempted to approach the debt collector's office on Jalan Teuku Umar. However, hundreds of TNI and Polri personnel blocked their path. The martial artists intended to reach the office on Jalan Teuku Umar, but security forces closed off access at the intersection of Jalan RA Kartini, approximately 200-300 meters from their destination. This action by the thousands of martial artists was a response to an incident where one of their members was allegedly stabbed by a debt collector.