Hundreds of Indonesians took to the streets in Jakarta following the tragic death of a motorcycle ride-sharing driver, Affan Kurniawan, who was struck by a police vehicle during a protest on Thursday. The incident has ignited widespread outrage and demands for police reform, marking a significant challenge for President Prabowo Subianto‘s administration, which is nearing its one-year anniversary in October.
The protests erupted after Kurniawan was killed amid clashes between police and demonstrators near the parliament, where people gathered to express discontent over various issues such as lawmakers’ salaries and education funding. As tensions escalated, the military was deployed in certain areas, with local media broadcasting images of the unrest. Schools in the capital opted to let students leave early, while businesses advised employees to work from home for safety.
Demonstrators, including motorcycle drivers and students clad in colorful jackets, congregated outside parliament and police headquarters in Jakarta. They chanted slogans such as “Killer! Killer!” and threw rocks at the gates. Pendi Nasir, a fellow driver, emphasized the need for a transparent investigation into Kurniawan’s death, stating, “We don’t want our colleagues here to become victims of this riot again.”
Comedian Aci Resti joined the protest to voice her frustrations with government officials. “I’m here to voice the opinions of my friends, who are fed up with everything,” she remarked. Despite earlier calls for calm from President Prabowo, who expressed condolences and ordered a thorough investigation, the protests continued unabated.
In a video message, Prabowo stated, “I am shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers,” underscoring the need for accountability. The president’s remarks came as the Indonesian currency, the rupiah, fell 0.9 percent against the US dollar, closing at 16,495. The stock market also reacted, hitting its lowest point since August 12.
As the unrest unfolded, riot police employed tear gas and water cannons in efforts to disperse protesters. The police chief of Jakarta, Asep Edi Suheri, confirmed that Kurniawan was not participating in the demonstrations when he was struck by an armored police vehicle. He extended apologies to Kurniawan’s family, while a motorcycle drivers’ association affirmed that Kurniawan had no involvement in the protests.
In response to the incident, national police official Abdul Karim announced that seven officers involved in the incident would be detained for 20 days for ethical violations, stating that interrogations were ongoing. Following the protests, a group of motorcycle drivers staged a demonstration in front of the riot police’s headquarters on Thursday night and into Friday.
Kurniawan’s funeral drew a significant turnout, with hundreds of fellow ride-sharing drivers escorting his body through Jakarta on motorcycles. Attendee Ari Potret expressed his disappointment, saying, “We are deeply disappointed, especially with the security officials and national police chief. This is barbaric.”
Legal advocacy groups, including Jakarta Legal Aid, urged the government to release the 600 individuals arrested during the demonstrations, highlighting the growing calls for reform and accountability in the wake of Kurniawan’s death. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how President Prabowo’s government will navigate this critical juncture.
