Jakarta — A wave of anger swept across Indonesia on Friday after video footage showed a delivery rider being struck by a police armored vehicle during clashes outside the national parliament, sparking mass protests and violent confrontations with security forces in several cities. The unrest — one of the largest public tests of President Prabowo Subianto’s government since it took office — spread to Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and parts of Papua, as demonstrators demanded accountability and police reform.
How the protests began
The demonstrations erupted after the death of 21-year-old delivery rider Affan Kurniawan, who was reportedly hit by a Brimob (police mobile brigade) armored vehicle as riot police dispersed crowds protesting lawmakers’ generous allowances and wider economic grievances. Graphic footage circulating on social media ignited national outrage and drew thousands into the streets the following day, turning localized student rallies into a broader protest movement.
Scenes across the country
In Jakarta, protesters marched on the headquarters of the police mobile brigade and in some instances attempted to storm compounds; police responded with tear gas, water cannon and mass arrests as demonstrators hurled rocks, bottles and flares. Photo agencies and on-the-ground reporting documented scenes of smoke, damaged vehicles and tense stand-offs between masked students and heavily equipped officers. Similar clashes were reported in Surabaya and Yogyakarta, while remote locations in Papua also saw demonstrations and heightened security deployments.
Government response and investigations
President Prabowo publicly expressed concern and ordered a formal investigation into the incident, calling for calm while also acknowledging the intensity of public anger. National police authorities said several officers tied to the vehicle have been detained for questioning; media reports indicate that at least seven officers were taken into custody as the government pledged disciplinary action. Still, critics and rights groups say quick detentions are not a substitute for an impartial criminal probe and broader policing reforms.
Arrests, casualties and legal fallout
Human rights organizations and legal aid groups reported numerous arrests during the unrest; some outlets put the number of detainees in the hundreds, while emergency services confirmed multiple injuries among both civilians and officers. Calls for transparent investigations are growing louder from opposition politicians, civil society and legal advocates who say the incident underscores longstanding concerns about excessive force and impunity within parts of Indonesia’s security forces.
Why this struck a nerve
The protests tapped into simmering public discontent over the rising cost of living, unemployment and perceptions of political privilege after reports that all 580 lawmakers were receiving large monthly housing allowances far above typical wages. For many demonstrators the rider’s death became a catalyst — a vivid example of the gap between ordinary Indonesians’ economic struggles and the privileges enjoyed by political elites. Analysts say the imagery of an armored vehicle running over a young delivery worker crystallized anxieties about accountability and the use of force against protesters.
Political implications
Observers describe the episode as an early, high-stakes challenge to President Prabowo’s administration, testing its ability to manage public order without further inflaming popular anger. Some senior officials have sought to distance the presidency from police conduct, while Prabowo himself has publicly criticized the actions of officers involved and ordered inquiries. Still, how the government handles prosecutions, transparency and potential institutional reforms will be watched closely at home and abroad.
Voices from the streets
Protesters — many of them students and young workers — carried placards demanding justice for Affan and broader reforms to policing and parliamentary perks. Social media amplified calls for nationwide demonstrations and provided real-time documentation of clashes that state and independent media later verified. Family members of the deceased and legal advocates have urged authorities to allow an independent autopsy and to ensure the driver and any commanding officers are held accountable under the law.
International reaction and risks ahead
International media and diplomatic observers expressed concern about the use of force and the potential for escalation. Analysts warn that if economic strains persist and if the public perceives justice is denied, protests could spread or re-ignite in waves, creating sustained instability and complicating Indonesia’s domestic and foreign agenda. The government’s next steps — whether swift criminal charges and transparent investigations, or defensive moves that appear to shield security forces — will likely shape whether tensions subside or deepen.
What to watch next
Key developments to follow include the findings of the police investigation into the armored vehicle incident, any formal criminal charges against officers involved, the scale and organization of planned follow-up protests, and statements from human rights monitors and legal bodies. For now, the death of Affan Kurniawan has galvanized a broad cross-section of Indonesian society and exposed fault lines around policing, accountability and inequality — issues that will remain politically combustible in the coming days.
