Clashes Erupt in Indonesia Over Taxi Driver's Death

Tue Sep 23 2025 09:15:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Protests in Indonesia following the death of a ride-sharing driver involve clashes between the police and demonstrators, raising broader socio-economic concerns.

Mass protests erupted across Indonesia after the death of 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, a taxi driver killed by a police vehicle during a demonstration. The unrest has led to violent clashes between police and protesters, highlighting widespread frustration over economic issues and government policies concerning housing benefits for lawmakers. As demonstrations continue, the Indonesian government is under pressure to investigate the circumstances of Kurniawan's death, and calls for justice are growing louder.

Mass protests have broken out in cities across Indonesia with clashes between police and those in attendance following the death of a ride-sharing driver who was hit by a police vehicle on Thursday night.

Twenty-one-year-old Affan Kurniawan had been taking part in the action opposing housing perks for politicians and cost-of-living issues.

On Friday, tear gas and water cannons were fired at crowds gathering in the major cities of Jakarta and Surabaya, while some protesters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks.

The unrest is seen as a key test for President Prabowo Subianto, with frustrations over a lack of jobs, low wages, high taxes, and rising living costs.

Affan Kurniawan's funeral took place on Friday, with his former colleagues accompanying him to his final resting place. They were joined by Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri, as well as politicians Rieke Dyah Pitaloka and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, who expressed hope that the case would be thoroughly investigated but called on delivery riders to stop their protests in order to maintain stability.

The police chief also repeated an apology.

As this was happening, protesters gathered outside the police headquarters to demand justice for his death. An apology has also been issued to Mr. Kurniawan's family by President Prabowo Subianto, who said he was shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers. The governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung, also visited Mr. Kurniawan's family, expressing condolences and offering financial assistance for funeral arrangements.

On Friday, seven members of the Mobile Brigade Corps (Satbrimob) were found to have violated the police professional code of ethics. As the day went on, tensions ramped up, with protesters trying to block a police convoy and throwing rocks at the vehicles.

The crowd continued to grow, as students from the local Pertamina University arrived. Earlier, protesters had put up a banner on a nearby pedestrian bridge that read arrest the damn officers.

In Kwitang, an area of central Jakarta, tensions rose as the protesters marched to the Indonesian National Police headquarters. Police fired tear gas at protesters from inside the station, with protesters also attempting to block a police convoy and throwing rocks at the vehicles. Despite heavy rain, some protesters threw Molotov cocktails and firecrackers towards the police compound.

Protests were also reported outside of Jakarta in Jawa Barat, Surakarta, Bandung, and Medan. Drone footage of Mr. Kurniawan's funeral showed thousands of riders turning out in support, many clad in the signature green of their employer Gojek, a ride-sharing service.

Following Mr. Kurniawan's death, Gojek released a statement: Behind every green jacket, there's a family, prayers, and struggle. Affan Kurniawan was part of that journey, and his departure leaves a deep sorrow for all of us. The company added that it would provide support to Mr. Kurniawan's family.

While the protests encompass a variety of issues, a core complaint is regarding a new monthly allowance for lawmakers set to receive 50 million rupiah ($3,030; £2,250), almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta. Protestors are also demanding higher wages, lower taxes, and stronger anti-corruption measures.