Thousands Protest Jakarta Police Killing, Demand Reform Amid Violence

Massive protests erupted across Jakarta and other Indonesian cities following the death of an online motorcycle taxi driver who was fatally run over by a police tactical vehicle during clashes near parliament. Demonstrators, including students and workers, called for police reform and accountability, leading to widespread unrest, early school dismissals, and business disruptions. Police faced sharp criticism for brutality, with seven officers taken in for questioning and public outrage growing despite President Prabowo Subianto's calls for calm and promises of transparent investigations. The protests escalated with demonstrators storming the Jakarta Metro Police headquarters, spray-painting “Killers” on the building, and briefly holding a police officer hostage amid chaotic clashes. The unrest has posed a significant challenge to President Prabowo's government, highlighting tensions over lawmakers’ allowances and broader issues of governance and public trust in law enforcement. Military forces were deployed in several hotspots to restore order as the situation remained volatile.