Students in Indonesia have announced plans for another demonstration outside the parliament building in Jakarta on Thursday, following a week of violent unrest that left at least ten people dead.
The call to protest was made by BEM SI, a coalition of student organizations, which posted on Instagram urging people to join what it described as a “peace action.”
The group said public anger is driven by corruption, politicized laws, distorted history, and government policies that fail to address the needs of ordinary people.
Last week’s protests escalated after video footage showed a paramilitary police van running over a 21-year-old delivery driver, Affan Kurniawan, as officers attempted to disperse students.
His death fueled widespread anger, adding to grievances over economic hardship and generous state-funded benefits for lawmakers.
Human Rights Watch said more than 3,000 people have been detained nationwide in the crackdown, while ten deaths and over 1,000 injuries have been recorded in connection with the unrest.
Police have used tear gas, water cannons, and mass arrests to contain demonstrators.
Amid growing pressure, Indonesia’s police commission dismissed an officer this week for ethics violations linked to Kurniawan’s death.
A police spokesperson admitted the officer acted unprofessionally but gave no further details on his role. Rights groups and student leaders continue to demand an independent investigation into police conduct.
Ten student unions met lawmakers on Wednesday to press for accountability, but they say no meaningful action has been taken.
The deputy house speaker suggested talks with the government, though student leaders said the proposal has not moved forward.
With tensions still high, Thursday’s rally in Jakarta is set to test both the resilience of Indonesia’s protest movement and the government’s willingness to respond to public demands in the world’s third-largest democracy.