Indonesian police vehicle kills online motorcycle taxi driver during Jakarta protest dispersal

An Indonesian police Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) armoured vehicle ran over two online motorcycle taxi drivers during a protest dispersal in Central Jakarta on 28 August 2025. One victim, 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, later died in hospital, while another, 30-year-old Moh Umar Amarudin, sustained a broken leg.

The incident occurred near the Bendungan Hilir II flats as officers dispersed demonstrators protesting controversial bills outside the House of Representatives (DPR) complex. Videos circulating online show a tactical vehicle driving into crowds and running over one of the drivers.

According to eyewitness, the vehicle hit an online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, who had fallen in the road. “The vehicle did not stop, but instead continued forward and ran over the victim,” he told local media on 28 August.

Union representatives confirmed the victims’ identities. Lily Pujiati, Chairperson of the Indonesian Transport Workers’ Union (SPAI), said Kurniawan died at Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital (RSCM), while Amarudin is being treated at Pelni Hospital in West Jakarta.

Lily urged accountability, stating: “We ask for the public’s support in monitoring the development of this event to prevent violent actions that cause victims. The Police Chief must take responsibility for the deaths and injuries.”

Kurniawan was not involved in the demonstration. He had been delivering food in Bendungan Hilir when traffic congestion left him trapped near protest sites. Fellow drivers reported he was there to find an alternative route when the armoured vehicle struck him.

The Brimob tactical vehicle, known locally as a Barracuda, is designed for riot control and counter-terrorism. Witnesses described the driver’s manoeuvres as reckless, claiming the vehicle swerved towards both protesters and bystanders during the dispersal.

Public anger intensified after news of the fatality spread, prompting dozens of ojol drivers to gather at the Police Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters in Kwitang, Central Jakarta, demanding justice. As of Friday morning, 29 August 29 2025, a large crowd remained, continuing to hurl insults at the police on duty.

In response, Inspector General Abdul Karim, Head of the National Police's Propam Division, confirmed that seven police officers driving the armored vehicle had been apprehended. Abdul Karim identified the perpetrators as members of the Mobile Brigade Unit, specifying their ranks as Kompol C, Aipda M, Bripka R, Briptu D, Bripda M, Bharaka Y, and Bharaka J.

In a press conference at RSCM on Thursday evening, Abdul Karim assured that the investigation into the perpetrators would be conducted transparently at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.