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Peaceful Labour Demonstration Met with Violent Escalation by the Indonesian Government

Civilians in several cities in Indonesia have been protesting on the streets, in response to our House of Representatives insensitive and derogatory remarks amidst difficult economic climate.

It was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration led by laborers and university students, but our government choose to ignore and even violently escalating it with police brutality + shooting tear gas. What sparked a nationwide outrage was during 28 August protest in the evening, one of the armored police/soldier truck sped up intending to run over protestors and it struck over a Gojek driver (ride hailing driver, similar to Uber) that fell when crossing the road amidst the chaos. The truck did stop but decided to ram the gas and ran over him when he's trying to stand, with other protestors shouting for them to stop.

The Gojek driver's name is Affan Kurniawan. He's just 21 years old, the breadwinner of his family. He lived with seven other people in a cramped small rented room. He was not even participating in the demonstration, at the time of his death he was WORKING. He was trying to complete a food delivery order before he was killed.

This incident was documented clear as day with several videos from different povs. Here's the most prominent one.

In response to Affan's death, nationwide protests are held on the following day. (29 August)

The protests continued even today on 30th August and it keeps on escalating. The government is now trying to frame the protesters as violent anarchists, they're trying to use the same tactic as the '98 tragedy. They've been deploying provocators and intels to riot and burn public transport station, even going as far as raiding several (decoy) houses that belongs to members of the House of Representatives. They've also taken several hostages, reports of kidnapping as per 28 August is 400+.

They have been turning off electricity access in several parts of Jakarta and just greenlit snipers and soldiers to shoot protestors on the head with rubber bullets. There's already several victims.

They've also blocked access to TikTok live and even tried to erase/take down several of video proof of police brutality. Police are now sweeping several areas and civilians are alerting each other to be careful and to stay safe and not answer the door.

So yes. Please pray and check up on your friend that lives in Indonesia. I fear that there's going to be a military emergency implemented by our warcrime president. If possible please help save the video proofs because our government are cracking down to erase any proof of violence.

Here's more background information about the events that leads to the demonstration:

Video explanation from Al Jazeera that interviewed one of us:

People ransacked and looted Sahroni's house (member of DPR). Looting are also happened at Eko Patrio, Uya Kuya, and Sri Mulyani (as of right now, only Sahroni's house that looks like organic, others look orchestrated by provocators)

President allowing police and military to take strong action towards protesters x, x, x

Police and military have seen sweeping several neighborhoods in several cities x, x, x, x, x, x

Live streaming banned on Tiktok and Instagram

A journalist being questioned, presumably attacked and arrested by police during live streaming

Those things I listed are just the several examples that have been running viral, the exact situation is bigger than that. As of right now, the protest is still happening in several cities.

I hope this post can shed light on people outside my country about what's going on in Indonesia. There are not many Indonesian on this site, but we will continue to voice our concerns about our country.

[29/8/2025]

A while ago, the government dropped a news that the people of the parliament will receive a large sum of money support from the country, around 100 million rupiahs or roughly around 6000$, PER MONTH. While the people here are struggling to eat, teachers and lecturers, especially those teaching in rural parts of Indonesia ARE NOT PAID. Even if they are, they're barely reaching the minimum wage. All while the people of the parliament get paid a large sum of money for doing nothing and corrupting the country. These people are dancing and singing in the parliament house while people literally outside their places live crammed, barely making 180$ a month. And for Jakarta? That barely covers necessities.

A few days yesterday, angry citizens started moving. At first they swarmed and broke into the parliament house. Then a massive protest was held in front of the parliament house (mostly by college students). The people are mad. The police started spraying tear gas and high pressure water towards the crowd (classic move). Eventually, ojol drivers started joining the protest (think: uber, uber eats drivers that use cars and motorcycles). One person got killed by getting ran over by the police. ONE PERSON GOT KILLED BY GETTING RAN OVER BY THE POLICE, A 21 YEAR OLD OJOL DRIVER, PROBABLY A BREADWINNER IN HIS FAMILY. And a lot more victims of brutality and violence and missing people. It doesnt stop there as well, Karet station are getting shot with tear gas, where non protesters are trying to get on with life.

Stardew Valley life series members!!!!

I've grown a mouth so sharp and cruel it's all that I can give to you, my dear

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going back to my roots drawing desduo aura farming for 3rd life’s fourth year anniversary! doubling as a redraw of the series’ first year anniversary as well.

rough turnaround & closeups under the cut