Indonesia is boiling! The tragic death of a motorcycle taxi driver, hit by a police vehicle, has ignited nationwide protests. From Makassar, where a council building was set ablaze resulting in multiple fatalities, to Jakarta and Bali, anger is spilling onto the streets. What does this escalating unrest signify for the future of Indonesian governance?
Indonesia has been gripped by widespread and violent demonstrations following the tragic death of a motorcycle taxi driver, allegedly struck by a police tactical vehicle. This incident has ignited a firestorm of public anger, leading to extensive protests across major cities, with one demonstration in eastern Indonesia culminating in a deadly blaze at a council building.
The catalyst for this nationwide unrest was footage circulated online depicting a man, later identified as a motorcycle taxi driver, being run over during an earlier rally focused on low wages and financial perks for lawmakers. The video quickly went viral, fueling outrage and calls for justice against perceived police impunity, transforming localized grievances into a broader movement of dissent.
In Makassar, the largest city on Sulawesi island, protests escalated dramatically outside both provincial and city council buildings. Demonstrators, armed with rocks and Molotov cocktails, stormed the structures, setting them ablaze. Tragically, this inferno resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, with the city council building becoming a blackened wreck surrounded by dozens of charred vehicles.
Local officials noted the unprecedented level of violence, stating that while protests typically involve rock-throwing or tire burning, storming and burning buildings was a significant escalation. Footage verified by AFP showed smoldering debris and flickering flames, painting a stark picture of the chaos that enveloped the city.
The protests were not confined to Makassar, spreading to other key Indonesian urban centers. In Jakarta, hundreds massed outside the headquarters of the elite Mobile Brigade Corp (Brimob) paramilitary police unit, holding them responsible for the driver’s death. Meanwhile, in Bali, a popular tourist hotspot, hundreds of students and motorcycle taxi drivers protested at police headquarters, aiming to draw international attention to legal injustice, corruption, and police impunity. Neighboring Lombok island also saw a council building stormed and set on fire despite police efforts.
This wave of unrest represents the most significant and violent challenge to Prabowo Subianto’s presidency, occurring less than a year into his term. The former general, who pledged fast, state-driven growth, now faces a critical test of his leadership and ability to manage public discontent.
President Prabowo has responded by urging calm and ordering a thorough investigation into the driver’s death, vowing that all officers involved would be held accountable. He publicly met with the driver’s family, posting images on social media and committing to guarantee their livelihood, an attempt to placate the inflamed public.
However, the current protests also echo earlier demonstrations against widespread government budget cuts designed to fund some of Prabowo’s populist policies, including a multi-billion-dollar free meal program. This history suggests a deeper undercurrent of public dissatisfaction with the government’s priorities and actions.
As the situation in Makassar reportedly returns to normal, according to South Sulawesi’s military chief, the broader implications of these nationwide protests for Indonesian politics and society remain a critical point of focus. The demand for government accountability and an end to police violence continues to resonate across the archipelago.
