A wave of protests in after footage showed elite paramilitary police running over 21-year-old delivery driver Affan Kurniawan.
At least eight people have died, hundreds injured and more than 1,240 people have been arrested in the capital, Jakarta, since Thursday — and , according to the KontraS rights group.
The as hundreds gathered outside parliament and clashes were reported in several other cities. Troops were also stationed along major streets in Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Makassar, local reports said.
At the same time, civil society in the Southeast Asian archipelago has mobilized. Through social media and street demonstrations, a collective movement has taken shape.
The digital call spread quickly, amplified by public figures and influencers who circulated a list of demands to be met by the government within a week. Indonesian authorities have since disabled TikTok’s livestream feature, which had become a key platform for information-sharing and protest mobilization.
From inequality to outrage: the deeper roots of protest
The current wave of demonstrations is rooted in long-standing structural pressures.
Mounting economic hardship, policies perceived as indifferent to the struggles of ordinary citizens, and a political elite seen as lacking empathy have all converged to fuel public anger.
data shows that about 60% of Indonesia’s workforce still depends on the informal sector, without stable income or social protection.
This has been worsened by a shrinking middle class: millions slipping into lower-income brackets or outright poverty.
According to figures from the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), nearly 10 million Indonesians experienced downward mobility in the past five years.
Meanwhile, food prices have surged, job opportunities narrowed, and more than 42,000 workers have been laid off since early 2025.
In June, the Indonesian government even stopped releasing official layoff data, citing concerns over “public panic.”
Amid these realities, a viral video of lawmakers dancing during the August annual parliamentary session became a potent symbol of elitist detachment.
Public anger deepened when parliament approved a housing allowance hike of up to 50 million rupiah (around €2,600/$3,000) per month, boosting lawmakers’ already lavish compensation packages — starkly contrasting with Indonesia’s per-capita monthly income of just 6.5 million rupiah, according to 2024 government data.
A 1994 Ministry of Finance decree still grants public officials a special tax allowance exempting them from paying personal income tax.
The situation reached a breaking point on Thursday when Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver, was fatally struck by an armored vehicle during a protest crackdown.
Affan, who struggled daily to survive on a modest income, became a tragic symbol of how marginalized Indonesians are being crushed under economic pressure.
What are demonstrators demanding?
The mass protests have carried several demands, including a call to cancel the proposed increase in allowances for members of parliament.
As violence against demonstrators intensified, the list of demands expanded. Citizens began rallying around a movement known as “17+8.”
Protesters are urging the government to address 17 urgent issues within a week. These include forming a team to investigate the killing of Affan Kurniawan, ending military involvement in civilian security, releasing detained demonstrators, prosecuting officers responsible for violence in the protests, and halting police brutality.
Citizens also outlined eight structural demands, including reforming Indonesia’s parliament, political parties, and national police institutions. They have requested the government to address their demands within a year.
“At the very least, the points on parliamentary reform must be implemented. Otherwise, we will remain in this same position in the years to come,” said Jovial da Lopez, a participant in the mass demonstrations.
The demands were voiced not only by residents in Indonesia but also by Indonesians living abroad, including in Germany.
“This is our expression of solidarity with friends in Indonesia. The demonstration also serves as a way to share information about what is happening there, as Indonesia is currently facing serious challenges,” said Walter Ng, an Indonesian student based in Berlin.
Walter and his peers echoed the same concerns raised by demonstrators in Indonesia.
“We call for an end to violence and brutality committed by security forces against civilians,” Walter told DW.
“We also urge the government to halt tax increases that are placing greater pressure on the public. Furthermore, we demand the creation of space for dialogue and the protection of freedom of expression without intimidation or discrimination in any form.”
How has the government responded?
On Sunday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto summoned ministers to the State Palace and delivered remarks regarding the demonstrations. In his speech, Prabowo said that some actions in rallies amounted to
Political communication expert from Padjadjaran University, Kunto Adi Wibowo, argued that Prabowo has yet to acknowledge the structural crisis affecting society.
“The president failed to identify the root causes. He does not recognize the existence of a crisis and views the tragedy during the protests as a non-systemic issue. This perspective is problematic,” Kunto said.
Prabowo also instructed the Indonesian National Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces to take firm action against individuals involved in violence during the demonstrations.
Since then, military personnel have been stationed at various locations and have conducted night patrols, particularly in areas frequently used for protests.
“The military is not trained to respond to peaceful protests,” Wirya added. “They are trained for warfare and national defense. That is not the appropriate role when dealing with civilian demonstrations. So when the military is deployed to respond to public protests, how does the government perceive its citizens?”
Prabowo also pledged to promote police officers who were injured while securing the demonstrations.
“Prabowo is siding with repressive forces by granting privileges and high praise to police and military personnel. This has further angered civilians and reflects a lack of sensitivity,” Kunto said.
Political and legal analysts have expressed concern that the state’s militaristic approach could lead to impunity for law enforcement agencies.
“Security forces may feel that violence is justified. Violence against individuals or families defending their rights is being normalized by the state,” Wirya concluded.
The collective movement
Social media platforms have been flooded with posts offering free psychological counseling, medical services, legal aid, emergency contacts for missing persons, and donation channels to help meet the needs of protest participants.
Ordinary citizens have consistently shared messages online encouraging mutual care, rejecting racially charged provocations, verifying information, and maintaining focus on demands directed at the government.
“There is a growing call among citizens to build an empathy-driven movement and keep the focus on push back against authoritarian practices implemented by the state,” said Wirya.
Solidarity efforts have extended beyond Indonesia’s borders, reaching neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
“The support from friends across Southeast Asia has been remarkable. Netizens from Malaysia and Thailand have even sent food to motorcycle taxi drivers,” said Kunto.
“This solidarity transcends national boundaries.”
Edited by: Keith Walker
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