Jakarta, August 29, 2025 – Indonesian civil society groups have strongly criticized the police for what they describe as “excessive use of force” during a protest in Jakarta, after a young man working as an online motorcycle taxi driver (ojol) was killed by a police armored vehicle.
The victim, Affan Kurniawan (21), died on Thursday night (August 28, 2025) in the Bendungan Hilir (Benhil) area, Central Jakarta. Witnesses reported that a tactical vehicle (rantis) operated by Brimob, the mobile brigade of Indonesia’s police force, suddenly accelerated into the crowd and struck the driver, sparking outrage among demonstrators.
Civil Society Demands Accountability
The Civil Society Coalition, represented by Julius Ibrani, Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), condemned the incident and urged full accountability.
“This violence is an excessive act by the police and must be investigated transparently. Those responsible must be held accountable,” Julius said in a statement on Friday.
He added that excessive violence against civilians sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and the rule of law in Indonesia.
“Protests Must Be Handled Professionally”
Julius emphasized that managing public demonstrations should follow legal procedures and be based on a step-by-step escalation framework, rather than resorting to lethal force.
“Handling mass protests should be proportional and professional. Excessive violence must be stopped,” he said.
The coalition also criticized recent government and parliamentary policies, such as tax hikes and raises for lawmakers, as insensitive to the public’s economic hardships.
“In the middle of an economic crisis, parliament and the government should act with social justice in mind, not pursue measures that burden the people,” Julius argued.
Eyewitness: “He Was Run Over Directly”
Eyewitness accounts described the incident in detail. A protester named Rian told reporters that the Brimob vehicle drove directly into the crowd without hesitation.
“It just went straight ahead. No warning, no pause. He was run over instantly,” Rian recalled.
The fatal collision happened around 7:27 p.m. local time. After the incident, demonstrators reportedly chased the fleeing armored vehicle, escalating tensions further.
A Test of Indonesia’s Democracy
The tragedy has sparked public outrage, with activists warning that unchecked police violence risks eroding trust in democratic institutions. The coalition stressed that the government and parliament cannot separate themselves from the violence, as both institutions are responsible for policies that affect how protests are managed.
The groups also extended condolences to Affan Kurniawan’s family and called on the state to protect—not criminalize—the right to free expression.
As of Friday, authorities have not confirmed whether an internal investigation will be launched into the conduct of the officers involved.
Background
- Ojol (online motorcycle taxi driver): A common form of transport in Indonesia, provided through mobile apps like Gojek and Grab.
- Rantis: Short for kendaraan taktis (tactical vehicle), an armored vehicle used by Indonesian security forces.
- Brimob: The Mobile Brigade Corps, a paramilitary unit within the Indonesian National Police.
Source
This report is based on information published by Tirto.id.
