Indonesian students will stage a protest at Jakarta police headquarters on Friday following the death of a motorcyclist struck by a police vehicle during clashes outside parliament.
Muzammil Ihsan, head of Indonesia’s largest student union, said the demonstration would focus on police violence, with several other student groups expected to join.
The unrest began Thursday after students rallied over lawmakers’ pay, education funding, and the government’s school meals programme. The protest stretched into the night, with riot police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, according to local media.
Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed that an armoured police vehicle hit and killed a rideshare motorcyclist who was not part of the protests. “As police chief and on behalf of the entire unit, I would like to express my deepest apologies and condolences,” Suheri said at a press briefing.
Abdul Karim, head of the police professional and security division, said seven crew members of the vehicle have been arrested, and an investigation is underway.
The incident triggered fresh demonstrations Thursday night, as motorcycle drivers gathered outside riot police headquarters. Kompas TV reported that military officers were deployed Friday to calm the protesters.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Legal Aid urged authorities to release about 600 people detained during the demonstrations.
