Indonesia: Massive public protests erupt after armoured police vehicle struck and killed biker

Hundreds of Indonesians staged protests across Jakarta on Friday after a motorcycle ride-hailing driver was killed when struck by a police vehicle, fuelling demands for accountability and police reform in what has become the first major challenge for President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, now nearing a year in office.

The driver, Affan Kurniawan died during violent clashes on Thursday near parliament, where police moved to disperse demonstrators angered by issues such as lawmakers’ salaries and education spending.

His death has galvanised motorcycle drivers, students and other citizens, who poured into the streets of the capital and other cities including Bandung, Surabaya and Gorontalo.

Protesters hurled rocks at police headquarters in Jakarta, shouting “Killer! Killer!” while others set fires from tyres and bamboo and sang patriotic songs. Police responded with tear gas to prevent attempts to storm the compound. The disturbances prompted schools in Jakarta to dismiss students early and businesses to shift employees to remote work, with the military deployed in some districts.

The capital’s police chief, Asep Edi Suheri, confirmed that an armoured vehicle had fatally hit Kurniawan and apologised to his family. National police later announced that seven officers in the vehicle would be held for 20 days for breaching ethics rules.

A drivers’ association stressed that Kurniawan had not been part of Thursday’s protests. His funeral on Friday drew hundreds of fellow drivers, who accompanied his body in a motorcade across central Jakarta.

“I am shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers,” Prabowo, whose presidency nears its one-year anniversary in October, said in a video message. “I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation  and officers involved must be held accountable.”

The unrest has rattled investor confidence in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The rupiah closed 0.9% weaker against the dollar at 16,495, while the stock index fell as much as 2.3% to hit its lowest point since August 12, before finishing down 1.5%.

Police Apology

The capital’s police chief, Asep Edi Suheri, said that during the clashes on Thursday an armoured police vehicle hit and killed Kurniawan, who worked for ride-sharing services Gojek and Grab. He apologised to Kurniawan’s family.

A motorcycle drivers’ association said Kurniawan was not involved in the protests.

On Friday afternoon, national police official Abdul Karim told reporters authorities would detain for 20 days the seven policemen who were in the vehicle that hit Kurniawan for a breach of ethics.

Kurniawan’s funeral was attended by hundreds of fellow ride-sharing motorcycle drivers, who escorted his body to the burial site in a convoy of two-wheelers through the centre of Jakarta.

“We are deeply disappointed, especially with the security officials and national police chief,” Ari Potret, a driver who attended Kurniawan’s funeral, told Reuters. “This is barbaric.”

Jakarta Legal Aid urged the government to release 600 people who had been arrested during the demonstrations.

With inputs from agencies