R.I.P to Affan Kurniawan. He was an Indonesian online motorcycle taxi driver who died after being hit and run over by a tactical vehicle belonging to the Mobile Brigade Unit of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police when sending an order from a demonstrator around the DPR/MPR (People's Representative Council/People's Consultative Assembly) RI Building, Central Jakarta on August 28, 2025.
In a statement at the funeral home on August 29, a family representative described Affan Kurniawan as the family's breadwinner. The 21-year-old reportedly left work at 6:00 a.m. every day to supplement the household income, as his father worked odd jobs.
What was the police action against those who caused Affan's death?
Head of the Indonesian National Police's Professional and Security Division, Inspector General Abdul Karim, in a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (29/8/2025), said that his team was conducting an examination and in-depth investigation of the seven Brimob members who were in the tactical vehicle that eventually ran over the online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan. From the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that two personnel were sitting in the front, while five other personnel were in the back. Based on the initial case title, it was concluded that the seven alleged violators were confirmed to have violated the police professional code of ethics. Then, the Indonesian National Police's Propam Division decided to carry out special placement or detention for only the next 20 days for the seven alleged violators, namely from August 30 until September 17, 2025.
What are the workers protesting against the Indonesian House of Representatives?
There are 6 demands brought by the workers, namely:
1. Eliminate the outsourcing system & reject low-wage layoffs (Form a Layoff Task Force)
3. Labor Tax Reform (increase PTKP (Non-Taxable Income), eliminate tax on THT (Old Age Allowance/Savings) and JHT (Pension plan) payments. Eliminate tax discrimination against married female workers.)
4. Pass the new Employment Bill without the Omnibus Law
5. Pass the Asset Confiscation Bill to Eradicate Corruption
6. Revision of the Election Bill: Redesign of the 2029 Election System (Urging a complete overhaul of the election system to make the 2029 elections fairer and more transparent)
Everything just got worse since that, Affan's portrayal of Indonesia's working class has become a factor in the growing public outcry. Affan's situation contrasts with the current situation of the elite, such as members of the House of Representatives (DPR), who enjoy various benefits.
To all my fellow international friends, please help share about the chaos of what's happening in Indonesia. Our media is starting to be silenced, influencers are starting to be restricted by meta if they upload about demonstrations or the House of Representatives. Even some of the influencers received an offer to become a government buzzer with a reward of millions of rupiah. (A buzzer is an individual or account operator on social media used to amplify specific messages and influence public opinion to support a political agenda or candidate.)
