Prabowo Alarmed by Public Anger over Killing of Ojol Driver, Observer Says

August 29, 2025 | 08:34 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Executive Director of PARA Syndicate, Virdika Rizky Utama, said President Prabowo Subianto was acting "in fear" when he asked the Indonesian public to trust the government. According to Virdika, the request was born out of fear, as Prabowo's government is becoming unstable.

"Prabowo is aware that the public is angry, is questioning and demanding. He is afraid that this anger will turn into delegitimization (of the government)," he said when contacted on Friday, August 29, 2025.

According to Virdika, public trust is not something that can be requested, as it must come through acknowledgment of mistakes and transparency. But Prabowo instead came with a narrative of stability. "Forced stability is very fragile. He's standing on narrative control, not acknowledging the reality," he said.

Virdika feels perturbed by the way Prabowo extended his condolences. Prabowo expressed disappointment and surprise over the incident where a ride-share driver was crushed and killed by a police mobile brigade vehicle.

According to him, Prabowo should apologize for failing to protect his people. "Apologizing is the most basic form of responsibility. But that's not what Prabowo chose. He's choosing to remain neutral, as if he is only an observer, not a perpetrator," he said.

Condolences without apologies are empty, Virdika said. This means Prabowo is refusing to admit structural damage. "That is dangerous. Because if the state cannot acknowledge mistakes, then violence will continue to be part of the modus operandi," he said.

Prabowo Extends Condolences over Affan's Killing

Previously, Prabowo urged the public to be wary of groups that want to sow chaos and disorder. He asked the public to trust the government.

The head of state stopped short of apologizing for the killing of the ojol driver and merely conveyed his condolences and sympathy for the incident.

Prabowo expressed surprise and disappointment with the actions of the officers last night while ordering a thorough and transparent investigation of the case.

Prabowo also asked those involved to take responsibility. If found to have violated the laws, Prabowo will take strict measures against them.

Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver, died after a police vehicle ran him over during a protest near the area of Bendungan Hilir II flats, Central Jakarta.

Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo apologized for the incident. He called this tragedy an evaluation for the police in carrying out their duties. "We will follow up on the incident. I apologize to the victim's family and the entire online motorcycle taxi community for the tragedy that occurred," said Sigit in front of the RSCM morgue early Friday morning.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor’s Choice: Seven Police Personnel Probed Over Death of Ojol Driver in Jakarta Protest

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