Sat Aug 30 10:51:12 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided information, written from an Indian perspective, suitable for a publication like “The Hindu”:
**Indonesia Gripped by Violent Protests Sparked by Rider’s Death; Government Promises Action**
**Jakarta, August 30, 2025:** Indonesia is facing a major crisis as widespread protests, triggered by the death of a motorcycle taxi driver allegedly run over by a police armored vehicle, have turned violent across the archipelago nation. Demonstrations initially focused on anger over low wages and financial perks for lawmakers escalated sharply on Friday and Saturday, engulfing major cities including Jakarta, Makassar, and Surabaya.
The most intense clashes occurred in Makassar, the largest city on Sulawesi island, where protesters set fire to the provincial and city council buildings. Tragically, at least three people were killed in the resulting blaze at the city council building. Footage circulating on social media shows widespread destruction and a lack of visible security forces during the height of the chaos.
Protests have also spread to Bali and Lombok, with demonstrators storming and setting fire to council buildings despite police efforts to quell the unrest with tear gas. Hundreds of students have joined the demonstrations.
The Indonesian government is under increasing pressure to restore order and address the underlying grievances fueling the protests. President Prabowo Subianto, facing his first major test since taking office less than a year ago, has urged calm and ordered an investigation into the motorcycle rider’s death. Seven police officers have been detained for questioning in connection with the incident and will face an ethics trial. TikTok has temporarily suspended its live feature in Indonesia in response to the unrest.
President Prabowo has cancelled a planned trip to China to closely monitor the situation within the country. The situation is being closely watched across Southeast Asia, including in India, given Indonesia’s significant economic and geopolitical importance. The scale and intensity of the protests raise serious questions about stability and social unrest in Indonesia, a key partner for India in the region. The events highlight the need for governments to address economic disparities and ensure accountability in law enforcement to prevent similar escalations.
First Piper 