Prabowo: Orders police, military to take firm action

Prabowo: Orders police, military to take firm action

In response to widespread protests sparked by the death of a motorcycle taxi driver hit by a police vehicle, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the police and military to take firm action. The protests, which began on Thursday, August 28, 2025, have since spread across the country, with thousands of people gathering in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Makassar to demand justice and police reform [1].

The protests have been particularly intense in Jakarta, where demonstrators have clashed with police, throwing stones and chanting slogans against the government. The capital's police chief, Asep Edi Suheri, has apologized for the incident, stating that an armored police vehicle hit and killed Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old online motorcycle taxi driver, during clashes on Thursday night [1].

President Prabowo, whose presidency nears its one-year anniversary in October, has called for calm and ordered a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. However, the protests have continued, with demonstrators demanding the release of 600 arrested protesters and calling for police reform [1].

The unrest has had a significant impact on the country's economy, with the rupiah closing 0.9% weaker against the dollar at 16,495 and the stock index falling as much as 2.3% to hit its lowest point since August 12 [1]. The military has been deployed in some areas to maintain order, with schools and businesses affected by the protests [1].

In a separate development, former Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal has called on President Prabowo to cancel his planned visit to China, citing the ongoing wave of protests across the country [2]. The protests have been led by students and fellow drivers, with many calling for police reform and demanding justice for Kurniawan's death.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/police-killing-sparks-indonesia-unrest-first-major-test-prabowo-presidency-2025-08-29/
[2] https://en.tempo.co/read/2044629/prabowo-urged-to-cancel-china-trip-amid-nationwide-protests