These scenes would remind you of the 1989 events in China or the World Trade Center incident in New York City in 2001. Smoke billowed in the air as hundreds of Indonesians in Jakarta stood up in protest over the death of a civilian hit by a government vehicle.
Locals are blaming the incident on the nearly only a year-old government of President Prabowo Subianto.
Indonesian president Subianto is a former entrepreneur and army general of the Southeast Asian country, born in the early 1950s in the nation’s capital. He was from a wealthy, educated, and well-networked family in business.
He participated in the country’s economic and political landscape for several years, but it was just in 2014 when he decided to run for president. Former president of Indonesia Joko Widodo won against him, but Subianto was able to run, succeeded, and replaced Widodo.
‘Killer! Killer!’
Drivers, students in colorful jackets, and the rest of the Indonesians in the capital from all walks of life went down to the country’s parliament and the headquarters of the police to stage protests prior to last weekend, throwing rocks at the gates, shouting and chanting, “Killer! Killer!”
The impact of the protests prompted several schools to suspend classes, banks and stores to close, and workers to instead work from home. The Indonesian and global media are present to cover.
A day prior to the start of the protests, the civilian, Affan Kurniawan, a ridesharing driver who owns a motorcycle, was hit at the site of violent clashes near the parliament as the police attempted to disperse demonstrators who were protesting over various issues, which include the pay and education funding of lawmakers.
The Indonesian president has shared his condolences over the matter, releasing a statement, “I am shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers. I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation… and officers involved must be held accountable.”
Other rideshare drivers are calling for a fair investigation of the matter, with one of them saying, “We don’t want our colleagues here to become victims of this riot again,” he was telling Reuters.
This certain Indonesian, who has ties with Singapore’s educational institutions, warned the former businessman, "If Prabowo isn’t careful, protests may devolve into chaos.”
Gojek’s official statement
Apart from Jakarta, drivers also staged a range of protests in other cities, which included Bandung on Java Island, plus Surabaya and Gorontalo on Sulawesi.
TikTok sided with the deceased driver, which suspended their operations until as soon as the protests end.
Kurniawan’s funeral took place likewise on Friday, with his former friends accompanying him to his resting place. The police forces have issued their formal apology, too.
Gojek, where Kurniawan offered services for, too, issued their official statement, saying, “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."
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