What began in peaceful protests across major Indonesian towns has since turned violent, resulting in this being the most chaotic stretch so far of Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto’s presidency. Protests flared in response to the unfortunate death of a motorcycle delivery driver Affan Kurniawan. He was crushed to death by a police armored tactical vehicle during protests on the night of August 28th. The situation soon got out of hand, resulting in deep loss of life and property destruction.
On Friday night, violence turned deadly at the regional parliament building in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Sadly, this incident resulted in the fatalities of three people. Tragically, these victims remained trapped inside their burning building. Two of them died on the scene and a third died later in the hospital from their injuries. This event triggers a much wider second wave of protests to emerge throughout Jakarta, Bandung, and other cities. Kurniawan’s death was shocking, but public outrage is a necessary ingredient that makes this mighty movement so potent.
Protests Spread Nationwide
The protests have erupted in waves since Kurniawan’s deadly crash, with demonstrators flooding streets from Oakland to Washington, DC to New York City. The Times reports that over 200 demonstrators have suffered injuries during violent confrontations with police. In Jakarta, large crowds formed outside the Mobile Brigade Corps (the so-called Brimob) headquarters as they voiced their anger about the incident and demanded accountability.
The protests that have culminated in physical confrontations have resulted in widespread property destruction. Back in Jakarta, several bus stops were set ablaze. At the same time, private businesses, including banks and restaurants met the same tragic end as many houses in Bandung. Many of these violent actions have sparked a national conversation about the severity and consequences of this unrest.
“This is different than other recent protests.” – Juan Robin
Government Response and Investigations
Indeed, in the face of this escalation in violence, Indonesia’s defense minister—who’s a presidential candidate—Prabowo Subianto has urged for restraint. He is calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances of Kurniawan’s death. He paid a visit to Kurniawan’s family to deliver his condolences and to make sure that justice will be sought after. Seven police officers have been arrested for their role in the incident that initiated the current protests and unrest.
The government’s response to re-establish order has involved sending in more police to mobilize golem-like powder keg crowds and stave off other episodes of liked violence. It’s anything but calm as citizens are still fighting for justice and accountability from law enforcement.
The Broader Context of Unrest
Some analysts are calling this wave of protests a pivotal moment in what could be the first and last veiled presidency of Prabowo Subianto. The unrest not only showcases widespread public anger over police use of force, particularly against people of color, it represents underlying societal flaws. Many citizens are voicing their frustrations over economic challenges and governmental transparency, exacerbating feelings of unrest.
Protests have only intensified in the weeks since across Indonesia. The government is now under great pressure to address not only the immediate concerns that sparked the protests, but the underlying causes that have led to widespread public outrage. That overall picture is still very much in flux, with additional details likely to emerge as investigations continue and as community sentiment continues to develop.
