Protests erupt across Indonesia after police vehicle kills ride-hailing driver

Protests have broken out across Indonesia after a video emerged of a ride-hailing driver being run over by a police tactical vehicle.

Protests began on 25/8 after news broke that 580 lawmakers were receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (3,041 USD) in addition to their salaries. This allowance, implemented last year, is almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta.

Critics argue that the allowance is excessive at a time when most citizens are facing economic hardship with high living costs and taxes, coupled with rising unemployment.

The protests escalated on Tuesday after 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, a ride-hailing driver, was killed by a police vehicle while making a delivery. Security forces were clashing with protesters near the parliament building. Protesters demanded the government increase wages, lower taxes, and eliminate the lawmakers' housing allowance.

Witnesses said the armored vehicle, belonging to the National Police's Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob), suddenly plowed through the crowd and hit Kurniawan, causing him to fall. Instead of stopping, the vehicle continued to drive over him.

Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed that an armored police vehicle killed Kurniawan, who worked for ride-hailing services Gojek and Grab. Seven officers are being questioned.

A man in a ride-hailing company uniform holds a portrait of the driver killed by a police vehicle during a protest in front of Jakarta police headquarters on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

A man in a ride-hailing company uniform holds a portrait of the driver killed by a police vehicle during a protest in front of Jakarta police headquarters on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Ride-hailing drivers, students, and Indonesians from various walks of life gathered at government offices and police stations in Jakarta on Tuesday, throwing stones at the gates and chanting "Murderers, murderers". Police dispersed the crowds with tear gas. Protests also erupted in other cities, including Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, and Surabaya in Java, and Medan in North Sumatra province.

Protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the city council and provincial council buildings in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, on Tuesday evening, leaving at least three dead and five injured, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) announced on Wednesday.

University students hold placards reading "Police kill people" during a protest in front of the police headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

University students hold placards reading "Police kill people" during a protest in front of the police headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

"They were trapped in the burning building," Makassar city council secretary Rahmat Mappatoba said, accusing protesters of storming the building and setting it on fire.

"This was beyond our expectations. Normally, protesters only throw stones or burn tires in front of government buildings. They have never stormed inside or set fire to government offices," he said.

This is the first major challenge for President Prabowo Subianto's administration. Prabowo, who took office in 10/2024, visited Kurniawan's home on Tuesday evening, offered condolences to his parents, and pledged to oversee the investigation.