A peaceful protest in central Jakarta turned deadly on Thursday when an armored police vehicle drove into demonstrators, killing a motorbike taxi driver and injuring another person. The incident occurred as tens of thousands of students, workers, and ride-hailing drivers rallied near the Indonesian Parliament (DPR-RI) to oppose a proposed land and building tax hike and rising parliamentary privileges.
The Incident
Eyewitnesses reported that as protesters scattered on Jalan Pejompongan, a police armored vehicle belonging to the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) accelerated toward the crowd. Video circulating on social media shows the vehicle running over at least one protester, later identified as Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old ojek online (motorbike taxi) driver. He died at the scene.
“I saw people screaming and running everywhere. Then suddenly the panser [armored vehicle] charged forward. One man couldn’t escape — he was crushed right in front of us,” said Ahmad, a student who joined the protest.
Official Response
Jakarta police confirmed the fatality and announced that seven Brimob officers had been arrested pending investigation. “We deeply regret this tragedy and will ensure accountability,” a police spokesperson said.
Police Commisioner (Kompol) Jemmy Yudanindra, from Brimob, also addressed the incident. “All was happened, and cannot be able to avoid,” he said, while pledging that Brimob would take responsibility for the tragedy.
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights should condemned the use of excessive force, calling for “restraint and dialogue” between security forces and demonstrators.
Aftermath and Escalation
The death sparked outrage among protesters, many of whom clashed with police later in the evening. Officers fired tear gas while demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails and stones. Several vehicles were set ablaze, and traffic in central Jakarta was paralyzed for hours.
Civil society organizations and labor unions have demanded justice for the victim, warning that state violence could escalate tensions nationwide.
“This is not only about taxes. It’s about dignity and fairness,” said Yuni, a union leader present at the rally. “When citizens raise their voices, the answer should not be bullets or armored cars.”
Wider Context
The August protests are among the largest in Jakarta in recent years, drawing parallels to earlier reform-era demonstrations. Analysts warn that the government’s handling of the crisis could shape public trust in law enforcement and state institutions.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International Indonesia, have urged an independent investigation into the use of armored vehicles in crowd-control operations.
