Tensions soar as protests against police spread across Indonesia after delivery rider incident

Clashes between demonstrators and riot police erupted in multiple cities and saw attempts to storm a police compound in Jakarta, following an incident in which a delivery rider was allegedly run over by an armored police vehicle.

Jakarta — Protests erupted across Indonesia on Friday, escalating into violent confrontations with riot police in several cities a day after a delivery rider was allegedly run over by a police armored vehicle during clashes between officers and students protesting lawmakers' allowances.

In the capital, thousands of protesters marched to the headquarters of the police mobile brigade to demand accountability and an explanation for the alleged incident. Some demonstrators attempted to force their way into the compound, prompting police to use water cannon and to fire rounds of tear gas to push back the crowds. Protesters responded by hurling bottles, rocks and flares at officers, and a group of rioters set a five‑story building ablaze in the Kwitang neighborhood near the compound, trapping several people inside until they were later rescued.

Authorities deployed additional personnel to the area in Jakarta as smoke from the fire and the lingering effects of tear gas reduced visibility. Some students who had been taking part in the protests stopped their demonstrations to help soldiers and local residents assist people who were trapped in the burning building, according to local accounts. Protesters also smashed traffic signs and damaged other public infrastructure, bringing traffic in the vicinity to a standstill.

Clashes involving rock‑throwing demonstrators and riot police were reported in a number of other cities, including Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung and Manokwari in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua region. In several of those cities police used the same tactics as in Jakarta — water cannon and tear gas — to disperse crowds that had gathered in large numbers. Local media and witness reports described chaotic scenes, with roads blocked and emergency services struggling to reach some areas amid the unrest.

The demonstrations followed recent student protests over lawmakers’ allowances. The immediate trigger for Friday’s escalation was an incident in which a delivery rider was allegedly struck and run over by a police armored vehicle during clashes between students and officers. Video of the episode circulated widely on social media, prompting widespread outrage and drawing more people into the streets. Organizers and participants said they were calling for a transparent investigation into the incident and for police accountability.

Police and student groups had been engaged in repeated confrontations in recent weeks over a range of grievances, including concerns about public spending and legislative decisions. Friday’s events marked a sharp intensification, with larger crowds and more frequent instances of property damage and arson. In Jakarta, authorities described efforts to restore order as they sought to prevent the compound breach from escalating into a larger security crisis.

Hospitals and emergency services in affected cities reported an increase in calls and admissions related to protests, including injuries from projectiles and exposure to tear gas. There were no immediate comprehensive official casualty tallies available, and local news organizations were reporting varying numbers of injured and detained across different locations. Several protesters and passersby were aided by fellow demonstrators, residents and security personnel after the fire in Kwitang cut off exits for some building occupants.

The protests in multiple provinces reflected both local anger at the immediate incident and broader public disquiet about policing tactics and transparency. Student groups have been central to the demonstrations, organizing marches and sit‑ins at government buildings and police facilities. In some locations the demonstrations were described as spontaneous, with participants responding quickly to the viral video of the armored vehicle incident.

Government and police spokespeople did not immediately release a detailed, unified statement addressing all aspects of the unrest. In Jakarta, officers at the mobile brigade compound were reported to be on high alert, and reinforcements were called in to secure the perimeter and protect personnel and property. Law enforcement officials emphasized efforts to disperse crowds while warning against damage to public infrastructure and threats to safety.

Families of those trapped in the burning building in central Jakarta were among the most affected, as residents and soldiers worked alongside students to pull people to safety. Witnesses described scenes of tension and urgency as rescuers braved smoke and heat to free apartment dwellers and office workers. Authorities later cordoned off the site for investigation and firefighting teams worked to extinguish the blaze.

Traffic disruptions across central Jakarta and other cities compounded the difficulties faced by emergency responders. Public transportation services in some areas were temporarily suspended, and key thoroughfares became congested as protesters occupied roads and local authorities closed streets to try to contain the unrest. Business activity around demonstration sites was interrupted, and some shops shuttered their doors amid fears of looting and further violence.

International observers and rights groups have in the past raised concerns about crowd‑control practices by Indonesian security forces, urging restraint and adherence to human rights standards. Friday’s nationwide unrest is likely to revive scrutiny of how authorities handle mass protests and whether independent investigations will be launched into alleged abuses. Civil society groups and student organizations called for a transparent inquiry into the delivery rider incident and for steps to prevent the kind of clashes that have now spread to multiple cities.

As the situation developed into the evening, smaller pockets of protest continued in several urban centers while police maintained a heavy presence near sensitive locations. It was unclear how long the unrest would continue or whether negotiations between student leaders and authorities would be initiated to de‑escalate tensions. Local officials in some regions appealed for calm and for demonstrators to avoid violence, while others warned that further unlawful behavior would be met with force.

The nationwide demonstrations underscore the volatility of public sentiment over police conduct and the potential for a single widely shared incident to spark widespread unrest. Authorities face mounting pressure to provide clear answers and to manage both immediate security concerns and longer‑term demands for accountability from a public increasingly mobilized through social media and organized civil society networks.