What happens when a city’s frustrations boil over? Jakarta is seeing massive protests after a ride-share driver was tragically killed by a police vehicle. Citizens are demanding answers and accountability, but the unrest is spreading. Will these calls for justice lead to real change?
Indonesia is currently grappling with an escalating wave of civil unrest, fueled by the tragic death of a ride-share driver in Jakarta. The incident, where an armored police vehicle fatally struck Affan Kurniawan during a demonstration, has ignited widespread public outrage and intensified calls for police accountability, amplifying a nationwide movement against various socio-economic grievances. This Indonesia unrest has brought the issue of police brutality to the forefront.
The fatal encounter unfolded outside Indonesia’s House of Representatives as riot police were dispersing crowds protesting high living costs, demanding increased wages, reduced taxes, and the removal of contentious political allowances. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where an armored car from the National Police’s Mobile Brigade unit suddenly accelerated into the demonstrators, hitting Kurniawan and then, reportedly, running over him without stopping. The Jakarta protests quickly escalated after this event.
Jakarta’s police chief, Asep Edi Suheri, later confirmed the tragic incident, acknowledging that an armored police vehicle was indeed responsible for the death of Affan Kurniawan, a driver for prominent ride-sharing services Gojek and Grab. While the official confirmation provided some clarity, it did little to assuage the public’s anger, instead galvanizing further demonstrations and inspiring heartfelt tributes during Kurniawan’s burial in a major traffic circle in central Jakarta. The demand for government accountability grew louder.
The recent wave of demonstrations, which initially began earlier in the week, was sparked by revelations concerning the substantial monthly housing allowances provided to all 580 lawmakers. Reports indicated that politicians receive 50 million rupiah ($3,041) for housing, an amount nearly ten times the Jakarta minimum wage. This disparity has exacerbated public frustration over economic inequalities and perceived political corruption, becoming a key factor in the civil unrest across Indonesian cities.
On Friday, the situation in the capital escalated further as protesters marched to the headquarters of the police mobile brigade in Jakarta, with some attempting to storm the compound. In response, security forces deployed water cannons and fired rounds of tear gas to push back the demonstrators, who retaliated by hurling bottles, rocks, and flares, signaling a severe breakdown of order and an intensifying confrontation.
The unrest is not confined to the capital; similar clashes between rock-throwing demonstrators and riot police have been reported in numerous other cities across the archipelago. Locations such as Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung, and Manokwari in the easternmost Papua region are experiencing civil disobedience, underscoring the widespread nature of the underlying grievances and the nationwide scope of the Indonesia protests.
Human rights activists have unequivocally voiced grave concerns, citing Kurniawan’s death as another stark example of alleged excessive force by law enforcement. An activist, speaking to Al Jazeera, stated, “The case of the motorbike taxi driver is just one of so many cases of excessive use of force by police. There are too many cases across Indonesia, including West Papua.” This statement further details credible reports of firearms use, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and even extrajudicial killings, amplifying the need for justice for the ride-share driver and broader police reform.
The tragic loss of Affan Kurniawan has emerged as a potent symbol for the broader movement, amplifying demands for justice, police accountability, and systemic reforms. As these Indonesia protests continue to reverberate across the archipelago, the government faces increasing pressure to not only address the immediate incident but also the deep-seated socio-economic and governance issues that are fueling this widespread dissent. The cry for a fair and just society is echoing throughout the nation.
