Deadly Protests Rock Indonesia Over Cost Of Living And Police Brutality

Mass protests have erupted across Indonesia following the death of 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was fatally struck by a police vehicle during an anti-government demonstration in Jakarta. His death, captured in a widely circulated video, has become a flashpoint in what has now escalated into one of the most serious crises faced by President Prabowo Subianto since he took office in October.

The protests, initially triggered by rising living costs and public outrage over lavish political perks, intensified after Kurniawan’s death. He was reportedly delivering food when he was hit by an armoured police vehicle near Indonesia’s House of Representatives. The incident occurred as riot police were dispersing demonstrators.

Public anger is further fuelled by revelations that 580 Indonesian parliamentarians receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah, nearly 10 times Jakarta's minimum wage and 20 times the wage in poorer regions. This has sparked widespread accusations of corruption and inequality, with protest groups like Gejayan Memanggil calling lawmakers “corrupt elites” and demanding cuts to their salaries.

Demonstrations have spread rapidly to major cities, including Surabaya, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Medan, Bandung, and even Papua. In Makassar, a fire at the regional parliament office killed three people and injured five others, according to the state news agency Antara. In Jakarta’s Kwitang neighbourhood, protesters set fire to a five-storey building near the police mobile brigade headquarters and clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Despite heavy rain, protesters continued to gather, throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police convoys. In Surabaya, demonstrators stormed the governor’s office compound, destroying fences and setting vehicles ablaze. Police and army personnel were deployed across Jakarta to prevent further escalation, but confrontations persisted.

Affan Kurniawan’s funeral, held on Friday, drew thousands of fellow Gojek riders, many dressed in the company’s green jackets. Gojek released a heartfelt statement expressing sorrow and promised support for his family. Jakarta’s police chief and several prominent politicians, including former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, attended the funeral and called for a thorough investigation.

President Prabowo publicly apologised to Kurniawan’s family, expressing shock and disappointment over the police’s “excessive actions”. Seven members of the Mobile Brigade Corps were later found to have violated the police code of ethics. Prabowo has promised a transparent investigation but also warned he may take “decisive action” if unrest continues.

With the rupiah weakening and stock markets slipping, this unrest is not only a political test for Prabowo’s leadership but also a serious threat to Indonesia’s economic stability. Protesters continue to demand justice for Kurniawan, fair wages, lower taxes, and an end to political corruption.