good crabexellent crab

Ten Killed in Week of Protests and Riots Across Indonesia

Hendro Situmorang
September 2, 2025 | 6:49 pm
SHARE
Residents carry the coffin of motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan for his funeral in Menteng, Jakarta, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. Affan was fatally hit by a police armored vehicle during a violent rally in the capital the night before. (Antara Photo/Fauzan)
Residents carry the coffin of motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan for his funeral in Menteng, Jakarta, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. Affan was fatally hit by a police armored vehicle during a violent rally in the capital the night before. (Antara Photo/Fauzan)

Jakarta. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) reported on Tuesday that 10 people have died during a week of protests and riots across Indonesia since August 25.

Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah said the victims came from varied backgrounds -- students, online motorcycle taxi drivers, a pedicab operator, and local government staff. Some died in mob violence and arson, while others were allegedly victims of excessive force by police.

Here is the list of the 10 confirmed fatalities:

  1. Affan Kurniawan (21) — An online motorcycle taxi driver from Jakarta, killed after being run over by a police armored vehicle while delivering food in Central Jakarta on August 28. Seven police officers have been named suspects.
  2. Muhammad Akbar Basri (26) — Public relations officer at the Makassar regional legislature, died after being trapped in the building when it was set ablaze on August 29.
  3. Sarinawati (26) — An employee at the Makassar legislature, also perished in the same fire.
  4. Saiful Akbar (43) — Head of community welfare at Ujung subdistrict, Makassar, who was attending a meeting inside the legislature when it was torched.
  5. Rusdamdiansyah (25) — A motorcycle taxi driver beaten to death by a mob outside the Indonesian Muslim University in Makassar, after being mistaken for an undercover police officer.
  6. Sumari (60) — A pedicab driver from Pacitan, East Java, who reportedly died after exposure to tear gas during clashes in Solo, Central Java, on August 29.
  7. Rheza Sendy Pratama (21) — A communications student at Amikom University Yogyakarta, found dead on August 31 with bruises and shoe marks after protests near the Yogyakarta police headquarters.
  8. Andika Lutfi Falah (16) — A vocational school student from Tangerang, fatally injured during Jakarta protests on August 29, with severe head trauma from a blunt object.
  9. Iko Juliant Junior (19) — A first-year law student at Semarang State University, critically injured during protests and later died after surgery. Cause of death remains unclear.
  10. Septinus Sesa — A resident of Manokwari, West Papua, who died during a protest. The circumstances are still under investigation.

There was also confusion over the reported death of Budi Haryadi (30), a municipal police officer in Makassar, who was said to have jumped from the burning legislature. Doctors later confirmed he remains in intensive care.

ADVERTISEMENT

Komnas HAM said it will continue investigating the deaths, particularly those involving police action, to determine whether human rights violations occurred.

The wave of protests was triggered by public anger over lawmakers’ Rp 50 million ($3,000) monthly housing allowance, seen as emblematic of elite privilege at a time of economic hardship. Tensions escalated after a motorcycle taxi driver was killed by a police vehicle in Jakarta on August 28, fueling nationwide outrage.

Komnas HAM said it will continue investigating the circumstances of each death, particularly cases involving security forces, to determine whether rights violations occurred.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jun 17, 2026 | 12:12 pm

Government Disputes Human Rights Findings on Prabowo’s Free Meals Program

The Indonesian government says its free meals program advances human rights despite criticism from the national rights commission.
News Jun 15, 2026 | 10:05 pm

Rights Commission Finds ‘Strong Indications’ of Human Rights Violations in Free Meals Program

There have been 449 reported cases of mass food poisoning associated with the program, affecting 38,023 people across 36 provinces.

The Latest


News 7 hours ago

Dear Mr. President, Don’t Skip ASEAN Summits

Despite calls for Prabowo to stay home, the Indonesian leader still needs to attend ASEAN summits.
Business 8 hours ago

PLN Rushes Coal Supplies After Power Outages Hit Java

PLN is rushing to secure coal supplies after shortages triggered rolling blackouts across Java, disrupting businesses and daily life.
Business 12 hours ago

Japan-Backed ADB Invests in Indonesia’s Human Capital

As many as 399 Indonesian awardees have joined the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program from 1988 to 2024.
Business 12 hours ago

Indonesian Stocks Rise Despite Foreign Outflows as MSCI Review Looms

Indonesia's JCI rose 2.8% as easing geopolitical tensions offset foreign outflows, MSCI concerns and rupiah pressures.
News 13 hours ago

World Cup 2026: Paraguay Holds Off Turkey With 10 Men to Keep Knockout Hopes Alive

Matias Galarza scored after 65 seconds as 10-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0, eliminating the Turks and securing first place for the US.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED