Sri Mulyani Suddenly Changes the Format of "APBN Kita" Press Conference to Online, What's Going On?

Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Finance)

JAKARTA - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati suddenly decided to change the format of the "Our State Budget" press conference, originally planned for an in-person event, to a virtual conference.

The decision was made abruptly on Friday morning, August 29th, citing the security situation that had been brewing since early that morning.

For your information, the "Our State Budget" press conference is a routine event for the Ministry of Finance to convey the realization and progress of the State Budget (APBN) to the public. Typically, this event is held in person with the participation of journalists from various media outlets.

"Good morning, fellow journalists, considering the security situation as of early this morning, the Our State Budget Press Conference will be held online via Zoom/video conference at 9:30 a.m.," read an announcement sent to reporters on Friday morning.

As of the publication of this article, there has been no further detailed explanation from the Ministry of Finance regarding the security situation or the exact reason for the format change.

For your information, an image circulating on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, previously showing the price tag of the National Police's procurement of vehicles for mass dispersion, costing nearly IDR 1 billion, has been reposted by many people, targeting the Ministry of Finance and the National Police.

Previously, a demonstration by several community groups at the DPR/MPR RI Building ended in chaos. During the riot, an online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver was hit and run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle.

Andi Kristiyanto, Chairman of the National Online Motorcycle Taxi Coalition Presidium, spoke out regarding the death of an online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver during the chaotic demonstration against the salary increase for members of the House of Representatives (DPR) that erupted in front of the DPR Building and Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Andi Kristiyanto confirmed that two online motorcycle taxi drivers were killed.

"The information we have is that there are currently two fellow motorcycle taxi drivers. The first is injured and is still in critical condition at Pelni Hospital. He's a Grab driver, if I'm not mistaken. And there's one who has died, confirmed dead at RSCM (Civil Servant Hospital). He's a Gojek driver, the one who was run over by the barracuda," said Andi Kristiyanto in a statement received by VOI on Thursday evening, August 28, 2025.

Andi also confirmed that the deceased victim was named Affan Kurniawan. The other victim, Moh. Umar Amarudin, is in critical condition after being beaten.

"Yes, one has died. That (the second victim) is currently in critical condition. He was beaten, yes, he was beaten, if I'm not mistaken. And he's currently at Pelni Hospital," he continued.

Andi also explained that the public is demanding that the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) take responsibility for the deaths of the two motorcycle taxi drivers.

"The police, especially the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob), must be held accountable for this incident. Many of our colleagues are still gathered at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), and we are currently gathering there, and some are already at RSCM to assist with the repatriation of the body," Andi stated.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo apologized for the incident.

"I regret the incident that occurred and apologize profusely. We are currently searching for the victim, and I have asked the Department of Public Order and Security (Propam) to handle the situation further. Once again, we sincerely apologize to the victim, his entire family, and the entire online motorcycle taxi (Ojol) family," said General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, according to data received by VOI on Thursday evening, August 28, 2025.

According to General Listyo, the police are currently searching for the victim for further investigation.

"We are currently asking the Regional Police Chief, the Head of the Propam Division, and the Health Center (Pusdokes) to investigate the victim's whereabouts," he said.