Protests Erupt in Indonesia Following Tragic Death of Delivery Driver

Tue Oct 21 2025 06:36:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a wave of unrest triggered by the death of a motorcycle delivery driver, Indonesia is witnessing mass protests against government officials perceived as living in luxury while ordinary citizens struggle. President Prabowo faces mounting pressure as violence escalates.

The tragic death of 21-year-old rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan, after being struck by police during protests, has sparked widespread demonstrations across Indonesia. Citizens are voicing their frustration with political corruption and the disparity between lawmakers' salaries and everyday living costs. President Prabowo's administration attempts to quell unrest with promises of reduced perks for politicians, but many protesters believe it doesn’t go far enough. As violence escalates, the situation poses a significant challenge to the government's stability.

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

Mass demonstrations, fuelled by cost-of-living woes and public frustration with the political elite, first erupted in Jakarta on August 25 to condemn what many viewed as excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians.

By the end of the week, things had boiled over into violence. On Thursday night, following escalating clashes between demonstrators and authorities, police in Jakarta ran over and killed 21-year-old motorcycle rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan.

President Prabowo Subianto and the chief of police apologised for his death - but it fuelled further discontent that has now spread across the archipelago, from West Java to the islands of Bali and Lombok. At least seven people had died in the protests by Monday, according to Indonesia's coordinating minister for economic affairs.

The perks that sparked a protest

The primary trigger for the protests was the Indonesian government's decision to raise the allowance for national parliamentarians. Local media reported they were paid upwards of 100 million rupiah (£4,499; $6,150) a month - more than 30 times the average national income, which left many everyday Indonesians feeling angry.

Despite austerity measures affecting many citizens, the notion of a wealthy political class seeing their incomes rise ignited protests fueled by existing grievances such as police brutality and accountability.

The crackdown

As protests escalated, President Prabowo ordered a stronger response from the military and police, leading to a crackdown on rioters and looters. Demonstrators have targeted legislator's properties in a show of outrage against rising inequality.

The unrest prompted Prabowo to cancel a visit to China, promising to monitor the situation. TikTok has also suspended its live streaming feature in Indonesia to limit potentially incendiary content.

An opportunity for change

While the future of the protests remains uncertain, they mark a pivotal moment for President Prabowo's leadership, raising essential questions about governance, accountability, and addressing the needs of ordinary Indonesians.