Unrest in Indonesia Continues Following Death of Delivery Rider
Protests erupted across Indonesia for a fifth consecutive day following the tragic death of Affan Kurniawan, a delivery rider who was allegedly run over by an armoured police vehicle during clashes between students and riot police. Demonstrators rallied in several cities, including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung, expressing outrage over lawmakers’ hefty allowances amid soaring living costs.
In Jakarta, protesters attempted to breach the headquarters of the police mobile brigade, leading to escalating violence. Riot police responded with water cannons and tear gas, while protesters retaliated with rocks and flares. Tensions increased as a five-storey building near the protest site was set ablaze, trapping individuals inside; some students paused their protests to assist in rescue efforts.
As the unrest spread, clashes were reported nationwide—from Surabaya, where demonstrators stormed the governor’s office, to Yogyakarta, where calls for police reform intensified. The situation escalated further, with looting and vandalism of government properties noted in various cities. Local businesses, particularly around Glodok Chinatown, closed early with memories of the violent riots in 1998 still fresh in the community’s mind.
President Prabowo Subianto called for calm, expressing sorrow over Kurniawan’s death and pledging a thorough investigation into the incident. He announced that seven members of the police motor brigade linked to the event have been detained. The injustice felt by many citizens intensified after the revelation that lawmakers received a monthly housing allowance nearly ten times the minimum wage, igniting further outrage amidst rising unemployment and living costs.
As the situation develops, the government promises to support Kurniawan’s family, and citizens continue to call for accountability and reform in the face of growing unrest.
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