Bali/Jakarta: Indonesian police in an armoured vehicle have been filmed driving over a young motorcycle taxi driver – who died from his injuries – during protests outside government buildings in Jakarta, prompting an apology from the top brass and the detainment of seven police officers.
The confronting vision from Thursday night shows the vehicle speeding down a street with its lights and sirens blaring before hitting Affan Kurniawan, 21, while he appeared to be trying to scramble out of the way.
The driver stopped with Affan lying at the front axle, but as shocked onlookers rushed the vehicle, it continued forward, crushing the young man under at least one set of wheels. It then drove off down the street.
Affan was ushered away, but he could not be saved. It was unclear if he was participating in the protests or working. Local media reported he was delivering food to an address near the parliament building and stumbled as the police vehicle rushed towards him.
Young Indonesians are growing increasingly disenfranchised with their political leaders, and Affan’s death triggered fresh protests on Friday, with police responding with tear gas. More protests are expected at the weekend or next week.
Thousands of people, including union members, students and drivers, had turned up on Thursday at the parliament complex for a second demonstration this week. Police met them with tear gas and water cannons. By late afternoon, clashes had spread to a nearby shopping district, where protesters hurled sharpened bamboo sticks and rocks at the police.
People scatter in Jakarta on Friday as police fire tear gas during a protest over the death of a man struck by a police vehicle. Credit: AP
Many people in Indonesia are feeling the pressure of layoffs, the cost of living and budget cuts. The protests this week have focused on efforts to raise the minimum wage and also politicians’ decision to award themselves a monthly housing allowance of about $5000 a month, which is nearly 10 times the minimum monthly wage in Jakarta.
Protests have also erupted in various parts of the archipelago over large increases to land taxes, which local governments say are necessary because of federal budget cuts. The biggest increase, of 1000 per cent for Cirebon in West Java, was soon shelved.
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