Indonesian student groups said they will stage fresh protests on Friday outside the Jakarta police headquarters, a day after a motorcycle rideshare driver was killed when struck by an armored police vehicle during violent clashes near parliament.
The demonstrations on Thursday centered on multiple grievances, including lawmakers’ allowances, education funding, and the government’s school meals program. Tensions escalated into the night, with riot police using water cannons and firing tear gas to disperse protesters.
Jakarta’s police chief, Asep Edi Suheri, confirmed the fatality late Thursday, apologizing publicly. “As police chief and on behalf of the entire unit, I would like to express my deepest apologies and condolences,” he said. Authorities said the victim, a motorcycle taxi driver, had not been involved in the protests.
Abdul Karim, head of the police’s professional and security division, said seven crew members of the armored vehicle had been arrested and an investigation was underway.
The death sparked immediate outrage. Motorcycle drivers gathered outside riot police headquarters on Thursday night to protest, prompting the deployment of military officers to calm the situation.
A demonstrator carries a flag outside Jakarta Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters, during a clash with riot police after a motorcycle taxi driver died after being struck and run over by a police tactical vehicle during Thursday’s protest on a number of issues including parliamentarians’ allowances, education funding and the government’s school meals programme, in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 29, 2025. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
Muzammil Ihsan, head of Indonesia’s largest student union, told Reuters that Friday’s demonstrations would specifically address police violence. He said he expected multiple student groups to join.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Legal Aid urged authorities to release some 600 people arrested during Thursday’s clashes, warning that the government’s heavy-handed response risked fueling further unrest.
As tensions simmer, student leaders signaled that protests may continue in the days ahead, raising concerns of more confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
