Introduction
On August 28, 2025, Jakarta was rocked by violent protests following the death of 21-year-old Gojek delivery rider Affan Kurniawan, who was fatally struck by a police armored vehicle during a demonstration outside Indonesia’s House of Representatives.
The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media with hashtags like #polisipembunuh (#killerpolice), has ignited nationwide outrage, escalating into riots across cities like Surabaya, Bandung, and Makassar. This article provides a deep analysis of the unrest, its impact on Jakarta’s stability, employment, and investment trends, details about the victim, and the role of firearms in the clashes, with insights for investors via Technocrat Magazine.
Details of the Incident and Affan Kurniawan
Who Was Affan Kurniawan?
Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver for ride-hailing platforms Gojek and Grab, was delivering food in Jakarta’s Bendungan Hilir area on August 28, 2025, when he was caught in a protest outside the House of Representatives. According to witnesses, an armored vehicle from the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) sped through the crowd, striking Kurniawan and causing him to fall.
The vehicle then ran over him, leading to his death. Kurniawan was not a protester but an innocent bystander, described by his mother as the family’s breadwinner, completing a delivery order when the tragedy occurred. His funeral on August 29 drew hundreds of fellow ride-hailing drivers, who escorted his body in a convoy through central Jakarta to Karet Bivak Public Cemetery, chanting “Justice for Affan!”
Protest Context and Escalation
The protests began on August 25, 2025, driven by public anger over lavish parliamentary allowances—reportedly 50 million rupiah ($3,075) monthly for housing, 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage—amid economic hardships like rising inflation and unemployment.
On August 28, labor groups and students rallied against low wages, outsourcing, and tax hikes. Kurniawan’s death during police dispersal efforts, involving tear gas and water cannons, became a flashpoint. Protesters marched to Brimob headquarters in Jakarta’s Kwitang neighborhood, setting fires to buildings, road barriers, and vehicles, with clashes spreading to Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Makassar.
Significance of Parliamentary Arson
The torching of parliamentary buildings symbolizes deep public distrust in Indonesia’s political institutions, perceived as corrupt and disconnected from citizens grappling with economic hardship. In Makassar, protesters stormed the council building, setting it ablaze with Molotov cocktails and burning tires, an act described as unprecedented by local official Rahmat Mappatoba: “Usually, protesters only burn tires in front of the office.
They never stormed in or burned it.” In Bandung, a regional parliament was set alight with no reported casualties, while in Surabaya, protesters targeted police headquarters, destroying fences and vehicles. These acts of arson, widely shared on social media, amplify public anger and risk inspiring further violence, drawing parallels to the 2019 Papua protests where similar parliamentary fires signaled separatist unrest.
Use of Firearms and Police Response
While no live firearms were reported in Jakarta’s clashes, police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and batons to control crowds. Social media reports and eyewitness accounts confirm protesters threw firecrackers, Molotov cocktails, and rocks, escalating tensions.
The Indonesian National Police stated that security forces, including Brimob, were not armed with live bullets, though the armored vehicle incident raised questions about excessive force. Seven Brimob officers linked to Kurniawan’s death were detained for violating the police code of ethics, and a transparent investigation was promised by President Prabowo Subianto. However, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation criticized the police for “repressive” tactics, citing 951 arrests in Jakarta alone and allegations of brutality.
Impact on Regional Stability
Immediate Fallout
The riots, now in their fifth day as of August 30, 2025, have destabilized Jakarta and other major cities. A five-story building in Kwitang was set ablaze, trapping people inside, while in Makassar, three government workers died after jumping from a burning regional parliament building. Protesters in Surabaya stormed the governor’s office, and in Bandung, commercial buildings were torched.
The deployment of military personnel to secure protest sites, met with boos from students, underscores heightened tensions between civilians and security forces. The rupiah fell 0.9% to 16,495 against the USD, and the Jakarta Stock Exchange dropped 1.5% on August 29, signaling investor unease.
Long-Term Stability Risks
The unrest poses a significant test for President Prabowo Subianto, whose administration faces accusations of authoritarian tendencies due to his military background and past involvement in human rights controversies. Protesters’ demands for police reform, asset seizures from corrupt officials, and the dissolution of parliament reflect deep distrust in governance. Amnesty International and local groups like Komnas HAM have criticized the government’s suppression of free speech, with 600–951 arrests reported.
The riots evoke memories of the 1998 anti-Suharto protests, raising fears of further escalation if economic grievances and police accountability issues remain unaddressed.
Regional Ripple Effects
The protests have spread to cities like Medan, Solo, Yogyakarta, and Manokwari in Papua, indicating nationwide discontent. In tourist hubs like Bali, demonstrations outside police headquarters threaten Indonesia’s $13 billion tourism industry.
The Singapore embassy issued advisories to avoid protest areas, and Jakarta’s mass transit systems suspended services near riot zones, disrupting daily life. If unrest persists, Indonesia risks alienating foreign investors and tourists, particularly in Jakarta, a key economic hub contributing 17% to national GDP.
Employment Trends in Jakarta
Gig Economy Vulnerabilities
Affan Kurniawan’s death highlights the precarious conditions of Jakarta’s gig economy, which employs over 2 million ride-hailing drivers and delivery workers. These workers, often earning below the city’s 5 million rupiah ($307) minimum wage, face long hours and exposure to risks like traffic accidents and protest-related violence.
Gojek and Grab have pledged financial support for Kurniawan’s family, but the incident underscores the lack of systemic protections for gig workers. The Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) joined protests to demand an end to outsourcing and better labor conditions, signaling growing unrest in this sector.
Broader Employment Challenges
Indonesia’s unemployment rate, projected to be the highest in Southeast Asia in 2025 per the IMF, exacerbates public frustration. Mass layoffs in the textile industry and a 3% inflation rate have squeezed low- and middle-income households.
Recent tax hikes of up to 250% in regions like Java and South Sulawesi have further strained workers, fueling protests. Jakarta’s gig economy, while a critical job source, cannot absorb the 4.76% unemployment rate’s impact, with 3.59 million new jobs in productive sectors insufficient to meet demand. Government initiatives like the Satgas PHK (layoff task force) and reskilling programs are promising but lack scale to address immediate needs.
Investment Trends in Jakarta
Economic Impact of Unrest
The riots have rattled investor confidence in Jakarta, a hub for fintech, e-commerce, and manufacturing. The Jakarta Stock Exchange’s 1.5% drop on August 29 reflects concerns over political instability and economic uncertainty.
The rupiah’s 0.9% decline signals currency risks, particularly for foreign investors. Businesses in Jakarta’s central district, home to major banks and corporations, closed early, and schools shifted to remote learning, disrupting economic activity. The burning of commercial buildings in Bandung and Makassar raises fears of broader damage to investor sentiment.
Sector-Specific Risks
- Fintech and Ride-Hailing: Companies like Gojek and Grab, valued at $10–15 billion, face reputational and operational risks. Kurniawan’s death could spur regulatory scrutiny of gig worker protections, increasing compliance costs. Investors in Southeast Asian fintech, a $100 billion market, may hesitate if labor unrest grows.
- Real Estate and Infrastructure: Protest-related damage to traffic infrastructure and government buildings could delay Jakarta’s $30 billion infrastructure projects, including the MRT expansion. Real estate investors may pause projects in high-risk areas like Kwitang.
- Tourism and Retail: Bali’s protests and Glodok Chinatown’s early closures signal risks to Indonesia’s tourism and retail sectors. Investors in these industries, projected to grow 5% annually, may shift focus to more stable markets like Singapore or Thailand.
Opportunities via YTC Ventures
Despite the unrest, Jakarta remains a top destination for venture capital, with $2.5 billion invested in 2024 across AI, fintech, and e-commerce. YTC Ventures recommends focusing on resilient sectors like cybersecurity (e.g., startups addressing digital infrastructure risks) and edtech (supporting remote learning amid disruptions).
Investors can leverage YTC’s platform to identify pre-vetted startups with high ROI potential, mitigating risks through diversified portfolios.
Deep Analysis: Why This Matters for Investors
Political and Social Risks
The riots expose Indonesia’s fragile social contract, with economic inequality and distrust in institutions driving unrest. President Prabowo’s response—promising investigations while warning against “anarchic actions”—may not quell public anger, given his controversial military past.
The protests’ scale, with 951 arrests and four deaths (including three in Makassar), suggests a risk of escalation if reforms are delayed. Investors must monitor Prabowo’s ability to balance democratic promises with decisive governance, as further unrest could disrupt Indonesia’s $1.3 trillion economy.
Economic Implications
Jakarta’s role as Indonesia’s economic engine makes stability critical. The city accounts for 60% of national FDI inflows, with $15 billion in 2024. However, the current unrest could deter investors, particularly in capital-intensive sectors like manufacturing and real estate.
The IMF’s warning of high unemployment and a 1.5% stock market drop signal short-term volatility. Long-term, Indonesia’s 5.2% GDP growth projection for 2025 remains attractive, but investors should prioritize sectors with low exposure to physical disruptions, such as cloud-based fintech or AI-driven logistics.
Investor Strategies via YTC Ventures
Risk Mitigation: Diversify investments across Southeast Asia, balancing Jakarta’s high-growth potential with stable markets like Singapore. YTC Ventures’ AI-driven deal-sourcing platform identifies startups with strong fundamentals, reducing exposure to political risks.Sector Focus: Invest in cybersecurity and edtech, which thrive in volatile environments. For example, Jakarta-based startups like Meticulate (B2B AI prospecting) offer 15–20% ROI potential.
Long-Term Outlook: Monitor Prabowo’s policy responses. His $400 billion infrastructure plan and reskilling initiatives could stabilize employment and boost investor confidence if implemented effectively. CTA: Connect with YTC Ventures to access Jakarta’s top startup deals at www.ytcventures.com.
Conclusion
The Jakarta riots, sparked by Affan Kurniawan’s tragic death, have exposed deep-seated economic and social grievances, threatening Indonesia’s stability and investor confidence. While the gig economy and broader employment trends face challenges, Jakarta’s $2.5 billion VC ecosystem offers resilient opportunities in fintech, cybersecurity, and edtech.
YTC Ventures provides investors with tools to navigate this volatility, identifying high-ROI startups amid uncertainty. As President Prabowo faces his first major test, the path to stability hinges on transparent investigations and economic reforms. Investors should act strategically, leveraging YTC’s platform to capitalize on Jakarta’s long-term potential while mitigating short-term risks.
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