How the death of a delivery driver ignited Indonesia

The demonstrators have been killed, the oldest buildings and the political homes predicted with the spread of anti -government unrest throughout Indonesia – and the authorities respond by force.

The mass demonstrations, which are fueled by living problems in terms of cost and general frustration with the political elite, erupted for the first time in Jakarta on August 25 to condemn what many considered as excessive and housing for parliamentarians.

By the end of the week, things were boiled in violence. On Thursday night, after the escalating clashes between the demonstrators and the authorities, the police ran in Jakarta and killed a 21 -year -old motorcycle driver, Davan Corinuan.

President Prabo Sobinto and the chief of police apologized for his death – but he fueled more discontent that has now spread to different angles of the archipelago, from west Java to the Bali and Lombok Islands.

At least seven people died in the protests by Monday, according to the Minister of Coordination in Indonesia for Economic Affairs.

The main operator of the protests was the decision of the Indonesian government to raise the allowance of national parliamentarians.

Local media reported last month that it had been paid to up to 100 million rupees (4,499 pounds; 6,150 dollars) per month – more than 30 times the average national income – including a large housing allowance.

Meanwhile, the Daily Indonesians were struggling with the living costs of living.

“When the government takes austerity measures, and while citizens feel the insecurity economically, the idea that the wealthy political class in Indonesia will see that their income fills people with anger, and they are rushing in the streets to express this anger.”

These protests are escalating after AFFAN, and since then has grown to include police brutality and accountability cases.

But there are other systematic issues that push general anger: political corruption, social inequality and economic opposite pioneers that the wealthy and strong seem to be unfairly isolated.

“It seems that the elite appears to be hidden in a luxury life – as it appears in the exorbitant privileges that parliamentarians received – people feel justice,” said Fedy Hadiz, a professor of Asian studies at the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne.

In an attempt to suppress the protests worldwide, President Brabu announced on Sunday that many of the concessions funded by the country granted to politicians will prove, including the size of some allowances.

While this step was welcomed by the demonstrators, some suggest that they are not going far.

Herrito, a former central coordinator of the Student Union in all Indonesian, told BBC that the advertisement was “a step in the right direction, but it does not address the root causes of discontent.”

“It is not only a single issue, but about long -term fears with inequality, governance and accountability,” he explained. “Symbolic changes are important, but people expect deeper reforms, especially in areas that affect ordinary citizens such as agricultural policy, education and fair economic opportunities.

“The ultimate goal is to pressure for the most vulnerable, transparent and transparent referee around people.”

At the same time that the benefits of politicians are equivalent, Brabu ordered the army and the police to take stronger measures against rioters, maids and fires after being looted the homes of members of political parties and state buildings.

The demonstrators ignited the buildings of the Regional Legislative Council through many Indonesian provinces.

In Makasar, fire was caught in a local parliamentary building, killing at least three people and wounding many others after people became trapped inside the burning building.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, the angry mobs raided and looted the luxury elements of the homes of many members of the Regional Legislative Assembly, who had previously concluded not sympathetic observations about the demonstrators who criticized their high salaries.

Brabu’s turmoil prompted the abolition of China’s visit, and promised to monitor the situation directly and find a solution.

Tiktok also suspended the direct broadcast feature in Indonesia “for the next few days”, in an attempt to reduce inflammatory content amid concerns about live group mobilization.

Herianto says that the authorities’ treatment of the situation in general was “mixed”.

“On the one hand, there were some attempts to maintain dialogue, but on the other hand, the use of excessive force raised fears,” he said. “The authorities must protect the right to peaceful protest, not its suppression.”

Babo’s instructions to the authorities have intensified the campaign – including extinguishing lights in protest areas and using rubber bullets – increased Hiriano’s fears, which raised fears of the police brutality.

He says, “History has shown us that when the state is priority to take security measures on dialogue, the risk of excessive force in power and human rights violations increases,” he says.

“We hope that the authorities will act by setting oneself and setting the priorities of the escalation rather than confrontation.”

It is not clear to where the protests will go from here – whether they will continue to visualize more violence and repression or forcing the government to waive more land.

But regardless of the result, the situation represents a challenge to the most dangerous Prabu leadership since he became president in 2024.

“It is a big test,” said Dr. Warurtonon. “Can the demonstrators weaken and put an end to the circulating demonstrations, while it does not resort to violence or suppression of the excessive state? This is the question.”

Brabu has invented the commander of the former forces on the charges of serious human rights violations, through Tiktok videos to beat younger voters.

But many Indonesians remember him as the son -in -law of the Soharto military dictator, which rapidly rose through the ranks of an authoritarian regime.

His victory in the elections was received last year with some concern, and the demonstrators’ anger faced the discounts in the budget to health and education in February this year.

Plaboo definitely knows the strength of student protests – they played a key role in dropping the Suharto system. So how he responds will be very important.

The Monday witnessed a brief calm, as some Indonesian students and civil society groups canceled the protests in Jakarta, noting the “impossible conditions” after the authorities escalated from security measures in the capital.

Police established checkpoints throughout the city, while officers and army conducted patrols at the city level and snipers published on the main sites.

Some experts warn that recent escalation can be the top of the iceberg, however, many basic economic issues are still unleashed.

It is the depth and breadth of these issues that gave the current gatherings to combat the government such force, and they dismantled them from many others who were launched by the Indonesians in recent years-which made it among the views of Mr. Hadiz, “among the most important outcomes of the protests since the appearance of Reformasi”.

This is a reference to the reforms that followed the fall of Soharto in 1998, as it was based on a era of democracy and stability.

Dr. Warurton also agrees that the importance of these protests is “completely different from what we have seen over the past two decades.”

“There have been waves of popular protest in recent years, and often led by students and progressive activists,” she said.

“The current demonstrations are different-grievances are going deeper and they are likely to be more popular. The protests reflect people’s feeling of economic insecurity, pent-up resentment towards greed and the transgressions of their elected officials.”

Although Prabowo responds to the demands that motivated the demonstrations – equivalent to parliamentary benefits and the launch of the investigation into the accident that caused the death of AFFAN – the protest organizers hope to seize the momentum for a wider comprehensive reform.

“This is a great feeling,” says Hiriano. “Social movements often appear in response to accumulated grievances, and moments can become such turning points.

“If this leads to a meaningful change that depends on leaders’ willingness to listen and act in the interest of people, rather than merely defending political interests or elite.”

Additional reports by BBC Indonesia