Indonesia's Furious Protests Sparked by Delivery Driver's Tragic Death

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:20:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The death of 21-year-old rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan has ignited widespread anti-government protests in Indonesia, forcing officials to address systemic issues of inequality, police brutality, and political corruption.

Protests in Indonesia erupted after the police ran over and killed motorcycle rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan amid growing frustrations over the rising pay of politicians amidst a cost-of-living crisis. Demonstrators clashed with authorities, leading to violence and significant property damage. The government has promised to review benefits given to lawmakers, but calls for broader reforms addressing economic and social disparities continue. As unrest spreads, President Prabowo faces the toughest challenge of his presidency since taking office in 2024.

Indonesia's Furious Protests Sparked by Delivery Driver's Tragic Death

Protesters have been killed, buildings torched, and politicians' houses looted as anti-government unrest spreads across Indonesia - with authorities responding with force.

Mass demonstrations were fueled by cost-of-living woes and public frustration with the political elite, especially after the death of 21-year-old motorcycle rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan when police ran him over during protests on August 25. His death has intensified outrage against perceived government indifference towards citizen struggles, especially as lawmakers enjoy significant pay increases.

As calls for accountability and reform grow, at least seven fatalities have been reported in the ongoing protests, as unrest spreads beyond Jakarta to provinces such as West Java, Bali, and Lombok.

The Perks that Sparked a Protest

The protests were triggered by the government's decision to raise allowances for national parliamentarians to an amount significantly higher than the average income in Indonesia, amidst a financial crisis affecting ordinary citizens.

Dr. Eve Warburton of the Australian National University highlights the outrage over lawmakers' perceived wealth contrasting with the daily struggles of citizens as a key driver of these protests, which have expanded to include calls against police brutality.

The Crackdown

In response to the unrest, President Prabowo announced a reduction of some state-funded perks for politicians while also ordering increased crackdowns on protesters. This included calls for heightened police and military action against rioters as property damage escalated.

While some steps were welcomed by protesters, many believe they do not address the deeper systemic issues of inequality and governance that provoke the unrest.

An Opportunity for Change

The unfolding protests present a significant leadership challenge for President Prabowo. How he navigates this unrest, balancing the need to calm demonstrators while avoiding the excessive use of force, may determine not only his presidency's legacy but potentially the future direction of Indonesian democracy.