Affan's Father's Story: Shocked and Disbelieving Upon Learning His Son's Death After Being Run Over by a Brimob Armored Vehicle
JAKARTA - Affan Kurniawan's father, Zulkifli, recounted his shock upon hearing the news that his son had died after being run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle in Pejompongan on Thursday, August 28th. He also believed that Affan had not participated in the riots during the demonstrations because he was known as a good child.
"Initially, I came home from Grab in the rain. I didn't expect it to be a short trip. I got home, it was drizzling, but it had subsided. It was around 8:30 or 9:00, I can't remember. Then, my eldest child, Adam Al Rasyid, and my third child, Wulantika Ramadhanti, were screaming, 'Father, Father, Brother, you're dead.' As a father, my heart was immediately broken," said Zulkifli, who also works as an online motorcycle taxi driver.
Zulkifli revealed that he had wanted to ask Affan for financial help to pay off a debt. However, instead of meeting his son at home, he and his family met Affan at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM).
"I came home. His brother, Adam Arasid, Wulantika, and his wife were behind him, all crying. I was shocked. I met him this afternoon, and I had a chance to meet him when he got home," he said.
Zulkifli explained that he first heard the bad news from his two children after watching a video of an online motorcycle taxi driver being run over by a Brimob vehicle circulating on social media. He had no idea that the video showed his son's death.
"My son, I'm sorry, I'm not trying to cover it up. My son didn't do anything like that (riot at the protest). My son is a very fearful person. He just had a chance to talk to me. Sir, I went out first," he said.
"When my son said anything, he said A, A, he wasn't lying, he's my son. That's my loss. My son, honestly, there was never any such thing," he continued.
Zulkifli also appealed to other online motorcycle taxi drivers to restrain themselves and not vent their emotions, even if it was in the name of solidarity. Because he doesn't want other online motorcycle taxi drivers, or even students, to fall victim to police violence again.
"If I wanted, I would just ask for justice. I trust the police. Don't let everyone here, and my colleagues, become anarchists. Don't let it happen again. It's like what happened to my son. That's all," he concluded.