Indonesia in Flames: Prabowo's Presidency Tested by Deadly Unrest and TikTok Live Shutdown

A Nation’s Outrage Ignites

Indonesia has been roiled by the most violent protests in decades. Demonstrations broke out across the archipelago after a mobile ride-hailing driver, Affan Kurniawan, was fatally run over by a police tactical vehicle during a demonstration against extraordinary pay perks for lawmakers. The incident—captured on video and widely circulated—ignited a wave of anger, with protests erupting throughout Jakarta and provincial capitals, and spreading deep into the societal fabric Reuters+2Reuters+2The Guardian.

Powered by

Powered by

Prabowo’s Moment of Truth

For President Prabowo Subianto—just months into his tenure—this is a defining political crisis. Lawmakers were forced to cede unpopular housing allowances and overseas trip privileges, following widespread calls for reform Reuters+1AP News.

Prabowo cancelled a high-profile trip to China, convened key cabinet leaders, and urged security forces to show firmness. Yet, his rhetoric—using terms like “terrorism” and “treason”—has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights defenders like Amnesty International ReutersThe Australian.

Streets Ablaze: Cities Under Siege

Across Indonesia, protests turned destructive. In Makassar alone, protesters torched a regional parliament building, resulting in three deaths. Homes of officials—including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani—became targets, and investor confidence plunged as Jakarta's markets tumbled The GuardianFinancial Times+1Reuters.

Student groups, ride-hailing drivers, labor unions, and ordinary citizens rallied beyond Jakarta—protests surged in Surabaya, Bali, Bandung, and beyond—linking economic inequality with political elitism ReutersFinancial TimesWikipediaThe Australian.

Youth Voices Silenced: TikTok Goes Dark

As protests mushroomed, digital channels amplified the dissent. TikTok, a crucial outlet for young Indonesians, voluntarily suspended its live-streaming feature for a “few days”—citing concerns over escalating violence ReutersOmniAl Jazeera. With over 100 million users nationwide, its absence further stifled real-time reporting and heightened frustrations around narrative control.

Echoes of 2019: A Democracy Under Pressure

The current unrest shares sad echoes with the notorious 2019 Jakarta protests—where students demonstrated against diminished transparency and democratic rollback. Then, too, Prabowo, as Minister of Defence, witnessed violent clashes as activists demanded changes to criminal codes and anti-corruption laws Wikipedia.

The 2025 protests, however, cut deeper—they carry economic grievances, visible youth engagement, and a social media blackout. Indonesia's fragile democracy faces not just a policy flashpoint, but a trust crisis between government and governed.

Voices from the Ground

• “This is our livelihood, and they killed a brother,” lamented a protester in Jakarta, referring to the fallen driver.

• In Makassar, an eyewitness recounts chaos as flames engulfed the local council chamber, leaving several injured.

• Student leaders insist that rescinding the housing allowances is only a first step—they demand systemic political reform, transparency, and accountability.

Timeline Snapshot

Conclusion: Democracy at a Crossroads

Indonesia’s latest upheaval signals more than anger at political perks—it challenges the very center of Prabowo’s new presidency. With young Indonesians thwarted from real-time expression, and state force echoing old authoritarian patterns, the nation stands at a democratic crossroads.

If Prabowo beyond ad hoc concession shows genuine reform, transparency, and open dialogue, stability may yet be restored. But ignore the youth-led fury and curb digital spaces, and Indonesia risks further escalation.