Peaceful Protest Gives Roses to the Indonesian TNI-Polri, Ojol Drivers: We Want Jakarta to Return to its Pre-Existing Condition, Full of Lights at Night

Peaceful demonstration by online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers.

JAKARTA - Thousands of online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojol) throughout Jabodetabek held a peaceful demonstration to give roses to the TNI and Polri apparatus on the south side of the National Monument (Monas) area.

Representatives of peaceful demonstration participants, Erna, said that this action was held as a sign and hope for ojol drivers so that the situation in Jakarta would return to normal and no longer heat up due to the series of demonstrations that led to clashes in the last few days.

"We want the situation in Jakarta to return to its former state. It is full of lights, full of red lights that remain on at night," said Erna in the IRTI Monas area, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, September 2.

Erna considers that the security of the situation in Jakarta is needed by all parties, including ojol drivers. Because, he admitted that his income decreased during the clashes in Jakarta.

"Over the past few days, all of them have become unstable again. Many of my friends' household lives have collapsed, due to road conditions, conditions may also be orders that are far below the current average," he explained.

One of the protests that had heated up was held by an ojol group in front of the Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters Kwitang a few days ago. This was the aftermath of the death of Affan Kurniawan who was run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle during a riot in the Tanah Abang area, last August 28.

Along with the easing of the situation, Erna hopes that ojol drivers who are angry with the death of Affan will no longer be provoked by actions that lead to riots in the future.

"We have also appealed from the start. For ojol friends, this situation has not been provoked by parties out there who have interests, who have different desires from us," explained Erna.

This afternoon, ojol drivers from various applicator partners began walking out of Monas with each holding rose stalks to circle parts of Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.

They also unfurled banners that read "spread a million roses of kindness for love and peace of Beloved Indonesia".

On the side of the road, the TNI and Polri officers are ready to line up to receive the flowers that will be given by ojol drivers. You can see the happy looking faces adorning the faces of the officers. This time, there were no protective vests, helmets, and shields typical of securing the demonstrations they wore.

The invitation to hug from several online motorcycle taxi drivers was warmly welcomed by the authorities. "Thank you" from the online ojol drivers non-stop praying during the flower giving action along Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.