Hundreds of Indonesians took to the streets of Jakarta on Friday to protest the death of a motorcycle ride-hailing driver who was struck and killed by a police vehicle during clashes near parliament.
The incident has ignited nationwide outrage, sparking calls for police reform and marking the first major test for President Prabowo Subianto’s government as it nears its one-year anniversary.
The victim, identified as 27-year-old Affan Kurniawan, died on Thursday when an armored police vehicle ploughed into him at the height of confrontations between officers and demonstrators. Protesters had gathered outside parliament to voice anger over a range of issues, including lawmakers’ pay and education funding.
By Friday, the fallout was felt across the capital of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Schools allowed students to go home early, while several banks and private companies urged employees to work remotely. Local television broadcasts showed soldiers deployed at key sites to reinforce security.
Crowds swelled near parliament and police headquarters, where motorcycle drivers, students in their colorful jackets, and ordinary citizens chanted “Killer! Killer!” and hurled rocks at barricades. Many carried banners calling for accountability from the police.
Among them was 43-year-old motorcycle driver Pendi Nasir, who demanded justice for his slain colleague. “We don’t want our colleagues here to become victims of this riot again,” he told Reuters, urging authorities to take firm action against those responsible.
Others used the protests to highlight grievances against lawmakers. Stand-up comedian Aci Resti joined a demonstration at parliament, saying she was angered by proposed housing allowances for legislators.
“I’m here to voice the opinions of my friends, who are fed up with everything, with the members of the House of Representatives, with everything, with the government,” she said.
President Prabowo appealed for calm in a video message, extending condolences to Kurniawan’s family and ordering a full investigation.
“I am shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers,” he said. “I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation … and officers involved must be held accountable.”
Still, protests spread beyond Jakarta. Drivers in their trademark green jackets staged rallies in Surabaya and Bandung on Java island and in Gorontalo on Sulawesi.
Financial markets reflected the political turbulence. The rupiah fell 0.9% against the U.S. dollar to close at 16,495, while the Jakarta stock index slumped as much as 2.3% before paring losses to end 1.5% lower.
Analysts warned that the unrest could spiral further. “If Prabowo isn’t careful … protests may devolve into chaos,” said Made Supriatma, a visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.
Police Admit Responsibility
Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri acknowledged on Friday that a police vehicle had struck and killed Kurniawan during Thursday’s clashes. He issued a public apology to the victim’s family.
National police official Abdul Karim later announced that seven officers involved would be detained for 20 days for breaching ethics, while interrogations continued.
A motorcycle drivers’ association stressed that Kurniawan had not been part of the protests when he was killed. His death sparked further demonstrations outside riot police headquarters late Thursday and again on Friday.
Kurniawan’s funeral drew hundreds of ride-hailing drivers, who formed a convoy through central Jakarta, escorting his body on motorcycles to the burial site. Mourners condemned the killing as a betrayal of public trust.
“We are deeply disappointed, especially with the security officials and national police chief,” said Ari Potret, one of the drivers at the funeral. “This is barbaric.”
Human rights groups have also weighed in. Jakarta Legal Aid called on the government to release more than 600 people who were arrested during the protests, warning that heavy-handed tactics would only deepen public anger.
As the unrest continues, all eyes are on President Prabowo, whose administration now faces the delicate task of balancing stability, public accountability, and trust in the security forces.
