NextFin news, On Thursday, September 4, 2025, protests in Jakarta, Indonesia, over economic issues and perceived excessive perks for lawmakers escalated into violent confrontations with police, leading to multiple fatalities and widespread unrest across the country.
The demonstrations began as public outrage over economic inequality and austerity measures but intensified after police fatally struck a 21-year-old rideshare motorbike driver, Affan Kurniawan, with an armored vehicle near Indonesia's parliament. This incident sparked nationwide protests and clashes.
Among the casualties was 16-year-old Andika Lutfi Falah, a high school student who attended the protest without fully understanding the situation. Andika suffered blunt force trauma to the head during the unrest and later died in a Jakarta hospital. His family has called attention to his death, which is under investigation by the National Commission on Human Rights.
Police and paramilitary units, including Brimob officers, responded to the protests with batons, tear gas, and armored vehicles. Footage from the day showed skirmishes between police and mostly young protesters. The Indonesian government has since fired the officer involved in the killing of Affan Kurniawan and is conducting ethics hearings for other officers.
The protests have spread beyond Jakarta, with at least 10 people reported dead since last Thursday, including three government workers killed in Makassar when a provincial government building was set on fire, and two university students who died in clashes with police in Yogyakarta and Central Java.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have called for investigations into alleged violations of international human rights law related to the police response. They emphasized the need for authorities to uphold rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression while maintaining order.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto labeled some protest actions as "treason" and "terrorism," promising a firm response. The heavy police and military presence in Jakarta reflects this stance, although scattered protests continue with demands including the release of arrested protesters, democratic and economic reforms, and an end to police violence.
The unrest has drawn comparisons to the 1998 riots that led to the fall of former autocratic leader Suharto, with activists noting similar frustrations over government policies and economic suffering. Amnesty International Indonesia's director Usman Hamid described the current protests as a reflection of growing societal frustration.
The situation remains tense as calls for an independent investigation into the deaths and police conduct grow louder, with civil society groups demanding accountability for victims of state violence.
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