Riot Breaks Out at Makassar District Court After Judge Grants PT Huadi Nickel’s Lawsuit

The panel of judges at the Makassar District Court in South Sulawesi granted PT Huadi Nickel-Alloy Indonesia’s lawsuit, which refused to pay overtime wage shortages to 20 former employees. The decision led to a riot at the demonstration by workers at the Makassar District Court.
The decision of the panel of judges was announced by the labor attorney KIBA, Hasbih Asiddiq. According to him, the judges granted PT Huadi’s lawsuit, while the workers’ lawsuit was rejected. Hasbih said, ‘The company’s lawsuit was accepted and the workers’ lawsuit was rejected. So basically, the panel of judges believes that the collective agreement regarding the layoffs is binding, so the workers no longer have the right to demand their rights,’ at the Makassar District Court on Monday (3/11/2025).
‘Secondly, regarding the internal wage memo, the panel of judges confirmed that it was appropriate. However, the workers had already proven that the memo was lower than the provisions of the laws and regulations,’ he continued.
Workers’ masses kicked the fence at the Makassar District Court. Hasbih also conveyed the decision of the panel of judges to the workers. Observations at the location showed that Hasbih went up on a pickup truck at around 11:50 AM to read the decision of the panel of judges, which was met with emotions by the workers.
Some protesters appeared angry and threw bottles of water into the courtyard of the Makassar District Court. They demanded the judges to come out and meet the protesters.
Other protesters helped calm down the emotional protesters. The field coordinator also asked the protesters to gather at the starting point and go home together.
Some protesters who were asked to remain calm actually headed towards the back gate of the Makassar District Court and began to kick the fence. They forced their way in to meet the judges who made the decision.
The demonstration by workers at the Makassar District Court turned into a riot after the judges ruled in favor of PT Huadi Nickel-Alloy Indonesia’s lawsuit, rejecting payment for overtime wage shortages. Andi Sitti Nurfaisah/detiksulsel
Some people around the fence tried to calm the protesters down. However, the protesters continued to press on by kicking and shaking the fence while shouting for the judges to come out.
‘Let the judge come out, money-minded judge,’ said one protester while crying.
‘Rude judge, bootlicker. In the last session, you sided with us, why not from the beginning. We almost died traveling back and forth between Bantaeng and Makassar,’ said another.
The police guarding the location held the fence from inside the Makassar District Court. The police also reminded the protesters that the Dhuhr prayer was taking place.
Ignoring the police’s advice, some protesters still tried to force their way in. Others helped to calm the situation while moving back towards the parking lot and leaving the Makassar District Court.