Jakarta, Indonesia (BN24) — Protests erupted in several Indonesian cities Friday, escalating tensions nationwide a day after a delivery rider was allegedly run over by police armoured vehicle during violent clashes between riot police and student demonstrators protesting lawmakers’ controversial allowances.
In Jakarta, thousands of protesters marched to the headquarters of the police mobile brigade, with some attempting to breach the compound. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas as demonstrators hurled bottles, rocks, and flares. The unrest turned destructive when rioters set fire to a five-story building near the police compound in the Kwitang neighborhood, trapping several people inside. Some students temporarily paused their protests to assist soldiers and residents in rescuing those caught in the blaze.
The chaos caused widespread disruption, with protesters damaging traffic signs and other infrastructure, bringing traffic in the area to a halt.
Similar clashes unfolded in cities across Indonesia, including Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung, and Manokwari in Papua, marking a rare nationwide wave of unrest.
The violence followed viral footage that appeared to show the death of 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was allegedly run over by an armored vehicle belonging to the National Police’s Mobile Brigade during Thursday’s protests. Kurniawan was reportedly completing a food delivery order when the incident occurred amid days of demonstrations over the allowances.
Witnesses told local media the armored car sped through a crowd of demonstrators, striking Kurniawan and running over him without stopping.
Thousands of motorbike riders, rights activists, and politicians paid their respects at Kurniawan’s funeral on Friday, gathering at a major traffic circle in central Jakarta and spilling into main city roads.
President Prabowo Subianto issued a televised appeal for calm, expressing condolences and condemning the actions of the officers involved. “I am deeply concerned and deeply saddened by this incident,” Subianto said. “I was shocked and disappointed by the officers’ excessive actions.”
The former general said he is closely monitoring developments and has ordered a thorough investigation, urging citizens to remain calm and avoid unrest. “I urge all citizens to trust in the government I lead, which will do what’s best for the people,” he added.
Authorities confirmed the detention and questioning of seven police motor brigade members linked to the incident, though the driver of the armored vehicle has yet to be identified. The protests initially erupted Monday after reports revealed that all 580 Indonesian lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075), nearly ten times the Jakarta minimum wage. Introduced last year, the allowance sparked public outrage for being excessive and tone-deaf amid rising living costs, taxes, and unemployment.
