GARDA Says Affan Kurniawan Was Caught in the Middle of Clash

Illustration of Online Motorcycle Taxi/ Photo: Doc. VOI

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Association (GARDA Indonesia) conveys with deep sorrow the tragic news of the death of one of its fellow online motorcycle taxi drivers, Affan Kurniawan (21), who was killed by a tactical vehicle belonging to the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) during a riot during a demonstration on Thursday, August 28, 2025, on Jalan Raya Penjernihan, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

This incident is a heavy blow to all online motorcycle taxi drivers in Indonesia, especially to the GARDA Indonesia family. Affan Kurniawan, who works as a Gojek driver, was not part of the riots but was a victim caught in the middle of the clashes.

GARDA Indonesia conveys the following stance:

1. Form a joint, independent fact-finding team to thoroughly investigate the repressive actions that led to the death of Affan Kurniawan, whatever the reason. State officials should protect the people, not cause casualties.

2. Demand transparency and accountability from the Indonesian National Police regarding the chronology of events that led to Affan Kurniawan's death.

3. Punish the perpetrators who negligently or intentionally assaulted the victim so that they can be held accountable through a transparent legal process to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.

4. Call for national solidarity from all online motorcycle taxi drivers and civil society to monitor this case until it is resolved, in order to uphold justice for the victim.

5. Urge the government to ensure the protection and safety of all online motorcycle taxi drivers, who work daily on the streets and are vulnerable to being caught up in mass conflict.

GARDA Indonesia also expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the late Affan Kurniawan. We are ready to provide legal assistance and solidarity support to ensure justice for the bereaved family.

This tragedy is a bitter reminder that people's lives should not be lost due to negligence, let alone repressive actions by the authorities. The state must be there to protect, not harm.

We urge fellow online motorcycle taxi drivers throughout Indonesia to hold communal prayers in their respective regions and lay flowers as a symbol of mourning.

To prevent a similar tragedy from happening, we at GARDA also ask our fellow online motorcycle taxi drivers to refrain from being provoked by parties who want to pit online motorcycle taxi drivers against each other or other parties due to differences of opinion regarding the tragedy of August 28, 2025.